Suspect In Fatal East Village Beating Held Without Bail

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man charged in the deadly beating of a grandfather in the East Village was ordered held without bail Wednesday, WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported.

Jamie Pugh, 20, was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree murder, attempted robbery and assault in connection with the attack last week, police said.

Ruan Wen Hui, 68, was walking on East 6th Street off Avenue D around 9 p.m. Friday when he was attacked, police said.

Police said Pugh, who has a long criminal record, was trying to rob Hui when he grabbed him and pushed him up against a wall. When Hui fell to the ground, police said Pugh repeatedly punched and kicked the 68-year-old grandfather in the head.

As the victim lay dying on the sidewalk, Pugh allegedly continued down the street and yelled, "This is my block," police said.

The attack was caught on surveillance video, police said. Hui was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he died of his injuries the next day.

Pugh stood head down as a prosecutor described the attack, calling it one of the most horrific he's seen.

"It makes me a little bit sick to see him," the victim's youngest daughter, Michelle Ruan, told Silverman.

Ruan said her father was an immigrant from China and did not speak English. Police said Pugh spoke briefly to Hui before the attack, but he didn't comply because he did not understand.

Police said Pugh was identified as the suspect in a call from a tipster.

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