(Update) – A St. Joseph man has been charged in connection with the murder of his 81-year-old grandmother.

Michael Ray Courter, 40 was charged Friday with a felony for second-degree murder in connection with Clyda Spurgeon’s death.

According to court documents, sometime between 8 p.m. April 28 and 8 a.m. April 29 Courter is accused of hitting Spurgeon repeatedly with a hammer he borrowed from her. The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s office said she died after being hit in the head multiple times with a blunt object. As we previously reported, Spurgeon was found dead at 108 East Highland Ave. late in the morning of April 29th.

Det. Frank Till with the St. Joseph Police Dept. said evidence collected includes reports, statements of witnesses, video and forensic.

“The defendant struck the victim with the intent to kill or cause serious physical injury to the victim,” Till said. “The defendant then fled the State of Missouri in a vehicle owned by the victim and was arrested several days later in northern Michigan with clothes for the journey.”

Till describes Courter as a violent and brutal man in court documents.

“He previously assaulted his mother and received a felony conviction,” Till said. “Witnesses interviewed are afraid of the defendant.”

In an update the prosecutor’s office said an arraignment is set for Monday at 1 p.m. in Div. 6.  The office said bond has not been determined at this time.

If convicted the charge of second-degree murder carries a punishment range of 10-30 years or life.