Dressed in a black suit, 24-year-old Matthew Oropeza agreed to waive his preliminary hearing on charges of involuntary manslaughter, terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another. Now his case moves to the Court of Common Pleas.
The alleged assault happened in early January when Oropeza and the victim, 38-year-old Drew Justice, were walking their dogs in a South Philadelphia park.
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Authorities say Justice asked Oropeza to leash his dog, which led to an argument, and that Oropeza punched Justice, who fell backward and slammed his head on the ground.
Justice was taken to a hospital and later died.
Oropeza has been barred by the court from visiting several dog parks around South Philadelphia after prosecutors alleged another volatile incident in another park.
READ: Dog leash dispute turns deadly at South Philly park
Oropeza has been charged with fighting-related offenses before, pleading guilty to one case in Delaware County.
He is due to be formally arraigned next month.