Fatal beating

An Emmaus man faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault in the beating death of a 70-year-old man in August, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office released Nov. 20.

Alexander Octa Roscioli, 22, of the 300 block of S. Broom Street, turned himself in to authorities Nov. 20. He was scheduled for arraignment later the same day in Lehigh County Central Booking.

Involuntary manslaughter is a first-degree misdemeanor. Aggravated assault is a first-degree felony.

An affidavit of probable cause filed by Emmaus Police and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Homicide Task Force alleges the following:

At about 2:41 a.m. Aug. 30, 2013, Emmaus Police responded to a residence in the 300 block of S. Bloom Street in the borough after receiving a report an elderly man had been assaulted and was bleeding and unresponsive.

The man was taken by emergency medical personnel to Lehigh Valley Health Network, Salisbury Township. The man was described as in critical condition at the time. He died the next day.

A forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. The dead man's injuries included a skull fracture, broken ribs and a cerebral hemorrhage. Lehigh County Coroner Scott M. Grim ruled the death a homicide.

According to police, Roscioli allegedly punched and kicked the man after he struck Roscioli with a plastic hockey stick during a dispute.

As in every criminal case, the fact an arrest has occurred or a complaint has been filed is an accusation. Roscioli is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.