Covina: Richard Basulto, 55
Richard Basulto, a 55-year-old Latino, was severely beaten Saturday, Nov. 29, in the 200 block of West Bygrove Street in Covina, authorities said. He died at the hospital the next morning, about 11 hours after the incident.
Covina Police Lt. Tim Doonan said Basulto had gotten into an argument with his brother-in-law about money. Martin Louis Silva, a 52-year-old black man, allegedly pushed Basulto, pinned him against some furniture, then punched him repeatedly in the face, Doonan said.
Basulto had one leg amputated at the knee because of complications from diabetes and was in a wheelchair, Doonan said. When paramedics arrived at the scene Basulto was conscious and able to speak, but almost as soon as he got to the hospital his condition worsened, Doonan said.
Doonan said he had several fractures in his face, as well as lacerations, contusions, and considerable swelling. The attack happened about 6:17 p.m. Nov. 29 and he was pronounced dead at 5:05 a.m. the next morning. The coroner listed his cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.
Silva was initially arrested on felony battery, Doonan said, but when Basulto died the charge was changed to murder.
-- Anthony Pesce
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Map: The location where Richard Basulto was attacked. Credit: Google Maps
this is sad. why didnt the sister of busulto or anyone else do anything
Posted by: fiona | December 02, 2009 at 05:58 PM
Silva should be presecuted to the fullest extent of the LAW
Posted by: MdW | December 03, 2009 at 09:02 AM
What a man fighting another man with one leg and on a wheelchair. That clown is just a punk, he will have plenty of healthy young men to chose a fight with in LA County Jail and eventually state prison. Hopefully he picks a strong, young, healthy man this time, so he could know how it feels to be defenseless.
Posted by: ndirish | December 03, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Wow,what type of demented,low-life individual do you have to be to beat a defenseless,disabled sick man?? I hope everything comes back to this piece of garbage and he pays the price with his life.He doesn't deserve to be breathing...that Black scum.
Posted by: Anthony R. | December 09, 2009 at 03:35 AM
Remember that old saying, "Money is the root of all evil". This is another dispute over money which leads to a murder. Sadly, this is becoming all to comman in today's economic times.
Posted by: Mr. Hogan | December 09, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Sigh, all those people have to learn anger management.
Posted by: scheng1 | December 17, 2009 at 07:09 AM