State police have charged a man with criminal homicide stemming from a fight in Indiana County last month.

Police yesterday charged Stephen Shesko, 60, of Seward, with the death of Erick Melius, 28, of Ebensburg.

Police said Mr. Melius was a passenger in a van around 3 p.m. Nov. 24 when he began yelling obscenities at a group of bear hunters along Duncan Road in Buffington Township. As the van was apparently stopped, Mr. Melius yelled at Mr. Shesko.

Police said Mr. Shesko punched Mr. Melius through the window, and the van drove off; but it returned five minutes later and Mr. Melius got out.

When Mr. Melius began trying to punch a second bear hunter, Mr. Shesko ran up to the younger man, knocked him to the ground and punched him and kicked him until he was pulled away, police said.

Mr. Melius was driven away and apparently was treated at a hospital and went home. He was found dead in his residence two days later.

Mr. Shesko was originally charged with aggravated assault in the case. After Cambria County Coroner Dennis Kwiatkowski performed an autopsy and ruled the death a homicide Tuesday, police filed upgraded charges yesterday.