ESPN reports Arkansas police have charged former Razorbacks football player Josh Melton with second-degree murder in the beating death of a man he once called a friend.
According to Fayetteville police, Melton and the still unidentified man spent Tuesday night drinking at Melton's apartment. At some point, the man became so intoxicated he allegedly threw up in Melton's living room, prompting the confrontation that allegedly led to Melton repeatedly punching the man.
The victim was pronounced dead sometime early Wednesday by emergency responders and soon thereafter Melton was taken into custody. According to ESPN, police described Melton as cooperative and concerned and say he insisted he never meant to cause his friend's death. The website added when officers arrived they found him sitting on the driveway crying. Investigators added his hands were covered with blood.
ESPN adds police documents reveal Melton told investigators he and the man had spent the entire night drinking, frequenting at least two local restaurants before returning to his home around 2 a.m. and "taking more shots." At some point, Melton told officers he passed out and awoke to find the man had thrown up in his home.
After fighting with the man, Melton told police he went back to sleep; leaving the victim laying on the floor, but still breathing. When he awoke, he said he found the man unresponsive.
Melton was an offensive lineman for the Razorbacks from 1999 to 2002. He's being held in the Washington County jail, and court records don't list an attorney.
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