18 Year Old Charged In Fatal Beating Of Retired Mailman: Delco DA

MEDIA, PA – An 18-year-old man is accused of beating a man to death after robbing him in October 2017, according to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

Tramaine Warfield, 18, of Morgantown, Berks County, was arrested recently in connection with the robbery and fatal beating of 57-year-old Brad Hayes, a retired employee of the U.S. Postal Service, on Oct. 24, 2017 outside the Penn Wood Middle School in Darby Borough, District Attorney Katayoun Copeland said.

Warfield, 18, is charged with second and third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and robbery. The investigation was conducted by Detective Brian Pitts of the Darby Borough Police Department.

At about 4:08 a.m. on Oct 24, 2017, Darby Borough Police found a Chrysler 300 with the head lights on parked with the front tires on the curb of 121 Summit Street in front of Penn Wood Middle School.

Police found a large pool of blood on the ground outside the vehicles' door and saw a man — later identified as Hayes — with his head on the floor of the driver's side rear seat.

Hayes was taken to Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital and pronounced dead.

Video from the area showed the suspect stomping and hitting Hayes, after which the suspect is seen picking up and dropping Hayes, who appears unconscious, to the ground.

The suspect then put Hayes in the backseat of the vehicle and tried to drive away but eventually fled on foot.

Hayes' wallet, which was recovered nearby, as well as cellphone were stolen in the attack.

As part of the investigation, police sent the victim’s possessions, including the victim’s Philadelphia Eagles #5 jersey and a pair of blue jeans, for DNA testing to the Pennsylvania State Police DNA laboratory.

On Dec. 5, 2018, Darby Borough Police Department got the DNA analysis report which identified Warfield as a possible match, the DA's office said.

Based on prior information, the suspect, Warfield, was known to have attended Penn Wood Middle School in the past and was also known to frequent the area where the homicide occurred, according to the DA's office.

Police found Warfield who was being housed at a placement facility, and On Dec. 11, Warfield was taken to the Delaware County Courthouse for authorities to obtain a mouth swab for his DNA and an interview, the DA's office said.

During the interview, at first, Warfield denied knowing the victim, however, after authorities pointed out the DNA evidence, Warfield admitted that he met with Hayes after leaving his girlfriend somewhere near Southwest Philadelphia or Yeadon, the DA's office said.

He then said he recognized the Hayes' picture, according to the DA's office.

During the interview, Warfield then became very emotional and stated, "I don't hurt people on purpose," the DA's office said.

He then stated that he did not intentionally kill the victim and that it all happened so fast, and that his mind was racing, the DA's office said. Warfield said "I'm not a monster, I just wish I could go back in time," according to the DA's office.

Warfield is slated for a Jan. 1 preliminary hearing and is being held without bail, court records show.

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office