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Queens Man Charged With Bludgeoning Man To Death In Forest Park

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A homeless man who was caught drinking in public has been charged with kicking and bludgeoning a man to death with a rock in Forest Park earlier this month, authorities say.

On Monday, Queens DA Richard A. Brown said 44-year-old Zoltan Forai, also known as Steven Forai, of Queens, was arraigned on murder charges after police say he kicked and bludgeoned 23-year-old Diego Piedrahita to death in Forest Park on June 10.

Piedrahita died at the scene.

Forai was spotted by police on June 19, at Woodhaven Boulevard and Myrtle Avenue in the Glendale section of Queens near Forest Park, allegedly drinking a can of beer. He was arrested for drinking in public.

Forai, who allegedly had shaved his beard to distinguish himself from looking like the bearded suspect wanted for questioning in the victim's death, was re-arrested hours later on murder charges.

Forai was arraigned Saturday on second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon charges. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted, and was ordered held without bail.

 

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