Michigan Man Accused of Beating Roommate to Death Over Taco Bell Meal

A Taco Bell meal allegedly caused a fight between two roommates that eventually led to one of them losing their life. Mark Newsome, 54 from Michigan has been charged with second-degree murder for allegedly beating one of his roommates to death, PEOPLE reported, citing law enforcement officials.

The victim has been identified as 72-year-old Dale Mitchell, according to the outlet. 

On Jan. 31, Newsome and Mitchell allegedly got into an argument about a late-night Taco Bell meal, Macomb Daily reported. Macomb prosecutors claimed the pair's dispute turned into a physical altercation, during which Newsome allegedly punched Mitchell several times in the head. 

Mitchell died of the injuries, Fox 2 reported.

The men were staying at a boarding house on Waldorf Street at the time with two additional roommates, Macomb Daily reported. "Oh God, it scared the hell out of me, it really did," said one roommate, Bob McQuade.

"There was blood all over upstairs," added the other roommate, Larry Melton. 

The two roommates not involved in the dispute claimed the argument began after Newsome accused Mitchell of stealing his Taco Bell meal, Fox2 reported. "To think a fight over food would escalate into murder," said McQuade, roommate. "It’s inconceivable."

McQuade and Melton both were trying to sleep when the fight allegedly broke out, Fox2 reported. 

"I trusted Mark as my friend," McQuade said. "I could never believe he would’ve done something like that."

Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido also shared his thoughts about the case, Fox2 reported. "If we've come to grips with life about fighting and killing somebody over a taco or food itself, there’s gotta be more to life than that," he said. "It would have been a lot easier to walk away."

Mitchell has been described as a “kind, gentle soul” by his friends, Macomb Daily reported. He was a regular patron of a couple south Macomb County bars. Some weeks after his death, a gathering was held at Friends Tavern at Gratiot Avenue and Stephens Road in Eastpointe, in his honor. 

Judge Boedeker ordered Newsome be held without bond, Macomb Daily reported. He is scheduled to next appear on July 2 for an arraignment, PEOPLE reported.