A Brooklyn man fatally beat a friend after accusing the victim of stealing his ATM card — then dragged the victim naked to a stairwell and left him for dead, law enforcement sources said.
Victim Leonard Isaacs, 68, died of his injuries on Dec. 19, nearly seven weeks after the beating, and the city Medical Examiner has ruled his death a homicide, police said Tuesday.
Isaacs visited suspect Darryl Wright apartment on W. 24th St. by Surf Ave. in Coney Island about 6 p.m. Nov. 2. Isaacs lived just a few blocks away.
That’s when 58-year-old Wright, who is the 6-foot-2 and 262 pounds, accused Isaacs about stealing and using Wright’s ATM card, sources said, waving receipts from unauthorized purchase at him.
Wright demanded Isaacs take off his clothes to prove he had no money and when Wright realized the victim was broke he allegedly punched and beat the older man, sources said.
Wright was caught on surveillance video dragging Isaacs out of his apartment and leaving him naked in a stairwell, according to a criminal complaint.
Isaacs suffered severe injuries including bleeding and bruises on the brain and bone fractures throughout his body, according to the complaint.
Cops responded to a 911 call at about 9 p.m. and medics took Isaacs to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn in critical condition.
Police arrested Wright the next day, charging him with attempted murder. A Brooklyn Criminal Court judge ordered him held without bail until his next court appearance Jan. 16.
Wright was out on bail at the time of the beating after he was busted in August on charges he attacked another friend over a money dispute in July. His bail in that case was set at $50,000 bond.
Wright’s lawyer, Morris Shamuil, said Tuesday that his client was defending himself in the July assault. The victim in that case used the money he owed Wright to buy crack cocaine and that led to a fight, Shamuil said.
Regarding Isaacs, Shamuil said he is still sorting out the details of the case.
“My understanding is that they were both using drugs, they were both high,” he said. “I can’t really confirm what really happened. I can say that my client is an elderly gentleman. He’s really a huge teddy bear. He really has no history of violence.”
“These accusations are definitely shocking,” he added. “(Wright) was very shocked to hear that the man was very injured, as he was.”
Wright could face upgraded charges now that Isaacs has died.