North Port man charged with second degree murder of his father

North Port man charged with second degree murder of his father

By Francesco Abbruzzino, Publisher, The Scoop
 
 
Update from the NPPD: To clarify. Merritt was originally arrested in April for the February incident. After a thorough investigation and the conclusion of the autopsy results, the father’s cause of death was ruled a homicide by the Medical Examiner’s Office. Those charges have now been upgraded by the State Attorney’s Office. Merritt is now facing the charge of second degree murder. He was picked up and arrested Thursday in North Port.
 
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Last February Robert Merritt got into an altercation with the victim in his home and threw the victim out of the home, allegedly pushing the victim to the ground.
 
Officers found the victim on the road a few houses away from the incident with bruises to his head and neck. The victim states that Robert battered him a few days prior and he ended up going to the hospital.
 
Robert maintained that the victim fell to the floor, when asked about the situation by the police.
 
They ended up transporting the victim to the hospital.
 
In March the investigators talked to the victim and he stated that Robert threw him into the TV, choked him and slammed his head to the ground during the attack in February. Still Robert maintained that the victim hurt himself falling to the ground and denied any physical altercation. The police talked to the victim’s ex-girlfriend who noted concerns with Roberts temper and stated that the victim basically told her the same story. The North Port Hospital noted some concern with the victim lying about an incident on 2.2, but felt that the incident on 2.6 aggravated the injuries received on 2.2. Yes, it is a bit confusing, which is why I am attaching the Probable Cause Affidavit, which you can view by clicking — >>> here.
 
So, back in April the police charged Robert with battery on a person over 65, the victim was 74.
 
Fast forward to July and a warrant had been issue, which led to the arrest of Robert for murder. The records are sealed and I have asked the NPPD for information on the case. However, the warrant was issue under the court filings for this battery and I believe it may be connected to the injuries sustained by the victim last February. You an read that document by clicking — >>> here.

 
NOTE: All arrestees are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To obtain court disposition for those facing state charges you can contact the Sarasota Clerk of Court at 941.861.7400.