SAN JOSE (AP) -- Authorities are calling the recent death of an 82-year-old San Jose man a homicide stemming from a beating he suffered almost 12 years ago.

The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner ruled that Lowell Noble died of complications from the 1999 beating by his girlfriend's adult son. Noble's girlfriend also was severely beaten in the incident.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that Noble suffered from heart problems and diabetes. But the coroner found that the pneumonia that led to his Jan. 7 death was caused by a swallowing problem that resulted from the traumatic brain injury he suffered in the beating.

Walter Jones is already serving a 16-year sentence for two counts of attempted murder.

Prosecutors say it's too soon to say whether they'll recharge Jones with murder.

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