An argument that led to the death of a 46-year-old homeless man Friday began over cigarettes, according to a court document released Monday.
Paul A. Cottrell, 19, is now facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the first slaying of the year in the city.
He remained in the Pima County jail Monday morning.
Cottrell and Joseph Dalmer got into an argument over cigarettes on Wednesday afternoon, according to the document.
Cottrell hit Dalmer with a beer bottle, after which Dalmer threw a brick at him but missed, the interim complaint said.
Cottrell then hit Dalmer with the brick, burned his ear with a cigarette and stabbed him in the ear with a knife, the complaint said.
He also sliced Dalmer’s chin and dropped the brick on his head.
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After the fight, Cottrell called police and told them that his friend was assaulted and was lying in a wash, police said.
When officers found Dalmer in the 4500 block of West Speedway — near West Gates Pass Road, he had sustained significant head trauma and was taken to University Medical Ceter where he died Friday just before 8 p.m.
Cottrell was booked into the jail Wednesday on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault resulting in serious physical injury.
After Dalmer died, the first-degree murder charge was added.
Cottrell listed an address in the 1200 block of West Riverview Boulevard.
According to online court records, Cottrell has been arrested in the past on charges of reckless burning, criminal damage, disorderly conduct and assault.
