N.H. man pleads not guilty to beating 79-year-old to death in Walmart parking lot

SOMERSWORTH, N.H. (TCD) -- A 52-year-old man pleaded not guilty this week to fatally beating a 79-year-old man in a Walmart parking lot.

According to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, on July 14 at 11:19 p.m., Somersworth Police Department officers were called to the Walmart on Waltons Way regarding an assault. When officers arrived, they found Jan VanTassel "unresponsive with visible head and facial injuries," and first responders declared him dead at the scene.

Officials obtained an arrest warrant charging Brian Roberge with second-degree murder because he allegedly "recklessly caused the death of Mr. VanTassel under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by striking him repeatedly in the head and face."

The autopsy determined VanTassel died from compressional asphyxia because Roberge was allegedly "straddling Mr. VanTassel’s chest for several minutes while hitting him in the head and face."

Roberge pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday, July 18, according to The Associated Press. He’s being held without bond.

MORE:

• Arrest in Somersworth Homicide - New Hampshire Attorney General's Office
• Autopsy Results in Somersworth Homicide - New Hampshire Attorney General's Office
• Man pleads not guilty to Walmart parking lot beating death - The Associated Press