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Wake Forest University placed Jamill Jones, an assistant men's basketball coach, on leave Friday after Jones was charged with an assault that resulted in the death of a Florida tourist in New York.
Ron Wellman, WFU's athletics director, said in a statement that he took the action after he spoke to Jones Friday, "and he agreed that the decision is appropriate at this time given the circumstances."
"Wake Forest University expresses heartfelt condolences to Sandor Szabo's family and friends following his tragic death," the statement said.
Jones, 35, of Geoffrey Way in Kernersville, could face murder charges after New York police determined Friday the death was a homicide. Jones is accused of punching Sandor Szabo, 35, of Boca Raton, Fla., once in the face Sunday in the Queens borough of New York City, New York police said.
Szabo, who struck his head on the pavement after being punched, was taken off life support Tuesday.
New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Friday that Szabo's death was a homicide as Szabo died of a blunt impact injury of the head with brain injury.
“(Jones) was charged with assault," said Sgt. Vincent Marchese with the New York City Police Department. "But now that the medical examiner has deemed it a homicide, it will be up to the district attorney and the courts to upgrade the charges.”