NEW YORK -- A woman who had not paid her rent for at least a year was charged Wednesday with murdering a city marshal who tried to serve her with an eviction notice, according to a law enforcement official.
Joanna Jones, 53, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Erskine Bryce, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Bryce, 66, a marshal for 12 years, went to Jones' Brooklyn apartment to serve an eviction notice around 4 p.m. Tuesday. They argued and Bryce followed Jones to the second floor of the building, the source said.
Jones allegedly shoved Bryce, causing him to fall over a banister and hit his head, the source said. She allegedly then struck Bryce in the head with a blunt object and set his clothing on fire, the source said.
Jones was arrested at the scene. Two men - whom police identified Tuesday as Jones' boyfriend and son - were also taken into custody but have not been charged.
City marshals generally are armed and work alone but can summon police help if they feel it's needed. They often work in some of New York's toughest neighborhoods, serving eviction notices and other court orders, and repossessing cars.
It was not immediately clear how long it had been since Jones last paid her rent.
