Convicted Murderer Accused Of Killing 83-Year-Old On North Side

CHICAGO, IL — A convicted felon has been charged with murder after an 83-year-old man was beaten in the city's Lakeview neighborhood in early January, police said. The attack happened Jan. 2 around 4:30 p.m. at the YMCA on North Marshfield Avenue, police said. Arthur Cannon was hit multiple times in the body and face, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

George Field, 55, had already spent nearly 20 years in prison for a 1985 murder. Both men lived in separate rooms at the YMCA, prosecutors said. Field came into Cannon's room and threatened to kill him if he didn't get cigarettes and water, prosecutors said.

Cannon suffered multiple facial fractures and broken ribs, according to the examiner's office. Prosecutors said the 83-year-old begged for his life while Field attacked him.

Cannon was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he died Jan. 12, the medical examiner said. His cause of death remained under investigation until the examiner released its homicide ruling Tuesday. The examiner's office said that cardiovascular, kidney and pulmonary diseases also contributed to Cannon's death.

Field suffers from mental illness and is on a variety of medications, his lawyer said. Field was ordered held without bond.

Photo: George Field. Image via Chicago Police Department