Melvyn Hargreaves, 71, died from head injuries after he was assaulted on Mercian Way, Derby, in January.
Samuel Watts, 22, had his charge upgraded to murder at Derby Crown Court.
Mr Watts, of Forman Street, Derby, was bailed and will next appear at crown court in Nottingham on 15 May.
Mr Hargreaves, who lived in Derby, died in the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham two days after the assault.
A man accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a pensioner who died in a street attack has had the charge upgraded to murder.