Published: 2/10/2006

Death of beating victim is declared a homicide

The death of a Toledo man who was beaten on the head with a pipe last week in the city s north end was ruled a homicide yesterday.

Dr. Cynthia Beisser, a Lucas County deputy coroner, said the preliminary cause of death for Robert Smead, 55, was acute pneumonia from being hospitalized for the head injury.

A final ruling is pending a review of his medical records, Dr. Beisser said.

Mr. Smead died Wednesday in Toledo Hospital, where he was taken after the Jan. 31 attack in the 500 block of Austin Street. Two suspects assaulted and robbed him and fled in a minivan later stopped by police.

Andre D. Rice, 41, of Toledo, and Charles R. Lowe, 36, of Jerusalem Township were charged with felonious assault and aggravated robbery and are being held in the Lucas County jail. Amended charges are pending.

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