She rejected a plea deal. Now prosecutors will seek homicide charges in city employee’s death.

Prosecutors said they will seek homicide charges against a woman who’s accused of participating in a fatal beating of a 71-year-old Baltimore transportation department employee during a dispute over a parking space.

Last October, the employee, Gregory Turnipseed, asked a driver to move her SUV out of the parking space in Mount Vernon, Baltimore Police said. But the two occupants turned on Turnipseed and severely beat him. He died several weeks later from his injuries.

On Tuesday, the driver, Kiannah Bonaparte, appeared in Baltimore Circuit Court for her trial on charges of first- and second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and reckless endangerment in the attack.

But when Bonaparte rejected a proposed plea agreement, prosecutors announced they would pursue more severe charges against her as a result.

The twist in the case came after Bonaparte’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Gabrielle Michel, requested a postponement so she could consult with an expert and give an investigator more time to look for witnesses.

An autopsy found that cardiovascular disease was a significant contributing factor in Turnipseed’s death, Michel said. She said she wanted additional time based on the medical examiner’s finding to investigate so her client could make an informed decision about whether to accept a plea deal.

Assistant State’s Attorney Tonya LaPolla said she would give Bonaparte until 4:30 p.m. on June 18 to decide. Otherwise, she said, prosecutors would seek homicide charges.

But Circuit Judge Melissa K. Copeland declared that she was not a rubber stamp and rejected the request for a delay.

“This is the date for trial. Not the date for postponement,” Copeland said. “Her informed decision comes today, as far as the court is concerned.”

Bonaparte, 49, of Original Northwood, then rejected the plea offer, the terms of which were never discussed in court.

Baltimore Police will be going to the district court commissioner to seek the upgraded charges, LaPolla said.

On Oct. 17, Turnipseed told police that he was walking on St. Paul Street in Mount Vernon when he saw a car waiting for another vehicle to pull out of a parking space.

Turnipseed approached a Chevrolet Equinox that was taking up the parking spot. He explained to the people inside the SUV that another vehicle was waiting for them to leave, police allege.

That’s when a 15-year-old girl in the front passenger seat, police said, became irate, got out of the SUV and punched him in the face several times.

Bonaparte then got out of the vehicle, jumped on his back and kicked him in the head multiple times, police reported.

Police later arrested Bonaparte on charges of first- and second-degree assault. A judge ordered her to be held without bond.

Three days after the attack, Turnipseed underwent surgery for a brain bleed. He died on Nov. 26 from his injuries.

It’s unclear if the teen is facing charges in the case.

More than 200 people filled an auditorium at Morgan State University to pay their respects to Turnipseed, whom city leaders described as an exemplary public servant. He was a 14-year veteran of the transporation department.

Outside the Elijah E. Cummings Courthouse on Tuesday, Turnipseed’s daughter LaCheryl Turnipseed-White told reporters that her father was kind, loving and supportive and helped everyone. He loved his job.

Turnipseed-White said she wants justice.

“It’s just very difficult,” she said. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Bonaparte remains incarcerated at the Baltimore Central Booking & Intake Center.