Man charged with second-degree murder after beating Central Park artist with stick
Jonathan Robles, 36, was charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly struck homeless artist Lee Rogers, 63, with a stick more than 20 times in Central Park.
According to the criminal complaint, Jonathan Robles, 36, told police he acted in self-defence after Lee Rogers, 63, allegedly struck him with a stick. He then allegedly took the stick and struck Rogers more than 20 times, leading to her death from blunt-force head injuries. Rogers, who was homeless and known for her bird-focused paintings, was discovered in a gazebo near the Central Park boathouse, with the broken stick found nearby and stained with blood.
Prosecutors have filed a second-degree murder charge, which carries a potential life sentence. A judge ordered Robles to be held pending a mental-health assessment to determine his fitness for trial, with a next court date set for Oct. 13.
Why it matters
The case highlights issues of homelessness, mental health, and violent crime in a high-profile public space.
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