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A deranged Minnesota hospital affected person was charged with homicide after ruthlessly beating a safety guard to loss of life whereas attempting to flee the power on Christmas Day, prosecutors mentioned.
Jonathan Winch, 35, was trying to bolt from the emergency division whereas on a medical maintain at M Well being Fairview Lakes Hospital in Wyoming Thursday night time when he viciously attacked 43-year-old Andrea Merrell exterior the constructing, in line with a legal grievance obtained by KARE 11.
Merrell, who was discovered unresponsive on the ugly scene, died two days later from her accidents.
“Andrea was a valued member of our safety group, and our hearts are together with her family members and coworkers throughout the extremely tough time,” M Well being Fairview mentioned in an announcement to the outlet.
“We’re targeted on supporting our groups and guaranteeing they’ve the sources they want.”
Prosecutors mentioned surveillance footage captured the shirtless runaway affected person preventing with the officer within the car parking zone round 5:30 p.m. earlier than pinning her to the bottom and unleashing a flurry of blows.
When backup lastly arrived, the sufferer — who was working the Christmas night time shift — was critically injured and unconscious on the bottom. Winch then tried to get into her safety automobile earlier than leaping onto the windshield of a responding squad automobile, in line with the courtroom paperwork.
The erratic suspect, who ignored officers’ repeated calls for, was ultimately tased to the bottom however continued to spar with cops for a number of minutes — whereas allegedly shouting “I didn’t imply to harm her” — earlier than he was lastly arrested, prosecutors mentioned, the outlet reported.
It’s unclear why Winch, of St. Croix Falls, Wis., was within the hospital or positioned on a medical maintain.
Merrell’s died from traumatic head accidents attributable to bodily assault, the Ramsey County Medical Examiner dominated, KARE reported.
The sufferer, who additionally reportedly served as a reserve police officer with the White Bear Police Division and hearth division, was remembered by her devastated greatest pals for her quirky persona and warm-hearted soul.
“She was essentially the most kind-hearted soul,” pal Well being Miller advised the outlet.
“Anyone she got here in touch with immediately cherished her as a result of she was simply that form of particular person.”
Pam Heaton mentioned her slain bestie would at all times stroll the hospital, chatting with employees and sufferers throughout her shifts.
“I feel most individuals knew her as a result of she’d sit and have conversations with everyone there and simply make them really feel protected and welcome. She was imagined to be our pal for her life, and that was taken away from us.”
Winch was charged with second-degree homicide and is being held on a $2 million bond, in line with the Minnesota Star Tribune.
He was reportedly additionally ordered to bear a psychological competency examination whereas in custody.
Winch is due again in courtroom on Jan. 27.
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