Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015 | 5:39 p.m.
A 72-year-old man who died five days after being punched in the face during a September dispute in a Walmart parking lot suffered blunt-force trauma to the head, and his death has been ruled a homicide, according to the Clark County Coroner's Office.
James Northcott of Surrey, British Columbia, died Sept. 28 at Spring Valley Hospital from injuries suffered in an assault, the Coroner's Office said.
Police arrested 21-year-old Ramon Smith, who they say punched the man Sept. 23 in the parking lot at 4505 W. Charleston Blvd., near Lindell Road.
According to a Metro Police arrest report:
Northcott's wife told police she and her husband were in their rental car leaving the lot when a car backed out in front of them.
The wife alleges Northcott hit his brakes and honked, and the other man got out of his car in the middle of the travel lane and put his arm through the window, accusing Northcott of raising his middle finger before punching him in the left eye.
The man left, and the couple drove to their hotel room at the Orleans, where Northcott fell asleep and later awoke disoriented.
He suffered a brain bleed.
Police released surveillance images of the suspect, and Smith was later arrested.
He told police he was in a borrowed car and that Northcott's car had come too close.
He claimed he rolled his window down to tell Northcott to back up and that Northcott rolled down the window, raised his middle finger and refused to move.
He also said he grabbed Northcott's glasses and that Northcott scratched his neck and reached for him, resulting in the punch.
Smith faces one charge of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, according to Las Vegas Justice Court records.
He posted bond Oct. 9, court records show.
Smith's attorney, Gregory Coyer, has said his client plans to plead not guilty when the case reaches the Eighth Judicial District Court and that he believes the cause of death will be a "significantly disputed issue."
"I have seen evidence of possible alternative causes of death," he said.
Officials previously said they were awaiting medical tests by the Coroner's Office to determine whether Smith could face additional charges or a possible murder charge.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 29, Justice Court records show.
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