Albany assault victim dies, suspect at large

ALBANY — The victim of a beating last week died over the weekend, and a named suspect who is now facing a murder charge in his beating was still at large Monday.

Phyllis Banks, spokeswoman for the Albany Police Department, said detectives believe Mitchell Wayne Cullen, 51, was one of the men involved in the beating of James Winchester, who died on Sunday after sustaining a head injury in an aggravated assault more than a week ago.

On March 20, officers responded to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in reference to a man down call that occurred on the 600 block of West Gordon Avenue, which was when they found out Winchester had been beaten up by two men in the Gordon Avenue area. They were told by medical staff that Winchester was unconscious and had sustained a serious head injury, Banks said.

Banks said detectives suspect Winchester hit the ground or was struck by an unknown object. He was hospitalized in critical condition.

The APD Investigations Division is soliciting assistance with locating Cullen, also known as “Danny” in connection to the assault. He is a black man at a height of 6-feet-2-inches and a weight of 180 pounds. His last known address was 113 NE Rosewood Drive.

The Rosewood Drive address is the latest one on file for Cullen, but he no longer lives there.

Anyone who has information regarding this incident or Cullen’s whereabouts should call Albany Area Crime Stoppers at (229) 436-TIPS (8477) or they can contact an investigator at (229) 431-3288.