MEDFORD, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts man accused of using a racial slur before allegedly intentionally striking a Black man with his pickup truck during a road rage encounter is now facing a murder charge, prosecutors said Monday.
Dean Kapsalis, 54, of Hudson, allegedly struck and killed Henry Tapia during an argument in Belmont last Tuesday.
He was initially charged with a civil rights violation causing injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and leaving the scene of a crash, but a Middlesex prosecutor told a judge Monday that it was determined that Tapia, 34, died of injuries suffered when he was struck.
Kapsalis was held without bail at his arraigment Monday on the murder charge. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. His attorney requested cash bail, but that was denied.
Kapsalis said that Tapia threatened to shoot him, but no gun was found in Tapia’s car.
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