Two charged in death of homeless man

Hennepin County authorities have charged two people in the beating death of a homeless man in north Minneapolis.

Willis Esposito Richardson, 23, and Andre Zedrick Steward Jr., 17, were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder on Monday.

The victim was 50-year-old Harry Lee Brown. He died of blunt force trauma to his head on July 8, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. Brown had been in the hospital for more than a week.

On June 29, Minneapolis police were called to the corner of 18th Street and Bryant Avenue North. They found Brown injured and not breathing on the sidewalk, according to the criminal complaint.

Police said witnesses saw Steward punch Brown in the face and Richardson hit him with a baseball bat. Steward told police that he took $5 out of Brown's pocket after the beating, according to the criminal complaint.

Steward had his first appearance in juvenile court Monday. The Hennepin County Attorney is seeking to try him as an adult. Richardson appeared in court Tuesday.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.