87-Year-Old Charged With Beating Roommate To Death

Buffalo, N.Y. (AP) — An 87-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter after authorities say he beat his roommate at an assisted living facility with a 2 1/2-pound magnet.

Chester Rusek pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday in Buffalo.

The Buffalo News reports he was brought into court in a wheelchair and appeared to struggle to hear what the judge said and to see the papers he was asked to sign.

Police say Rusek beat 86-year-old Salvatore Trusello on his head, face and chest as Trusello lay in his bed at Kenwell-DePaul Senior Living Community in the Buffalo suburb of Tonawanda in November. Trusello died one month later.

The newspaper says Rusek apparently believed Trusello was stealing from him.

Rusek's lawyer says he's had no prior convictions.