Police revealed that 89-year-old Francesco Candido died on Sunday after spending the last two weeks in intensive care with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
It is alleged that Mr Candido’s injuries were the result of an unprovoked attack by 33-year-old Joel Raymond Page, who faced court two weeks ago after being charged with aggravated assault causing serious harm.
It is believed that Mr Page’s charges will now be upgraded at his next court appearance.
The sickening attack occurred in the middle of the day and in full view of shoppers outside of Adelaide’s Central Market.
Witnesses allege that Mr Page was carrying a bottle of Bundaberg Rum and appeared to be extremely intoxicated at the time of the incident.
A court heard that Mr Page then walked up behind the 89-year-old victim and shoved him in the back. When the victim turned around, witnesses say that Mr Page hit Mr Candido with a roundhouse punch on the left side of his face, which knocked him to the floor and caused him to hit his head on the concrete.
A prosecutor also told the court that Mr Page then stood over Mr Candido and began swearing at him as he lay on the ground.
CCTV footage captured moments before the attack shows Mr Page stumbling on Grote Street with a bottle in his hand prior to the attack.
Police are appealing to others in the area who witnessed the incident to come forward.
“It was in the middle of the day and a lot of people did witness it,” Senior Constable Rebecca Stokes said.
“We’re asking anybody who has not yet spoken to police but did see this incident – it’s not too late, they can come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and perhaps help and play their part in this terrible tragedy.”
