UPPER MORELAND TOWNSHIP, Pa. (TCD) — A 55-year-old man faces charges after allegedly killing his neighbor during an argument about the defendant’s “loud snoring.”
According to a joint news release from Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Upper Moreland Township Police Chief Andrew Block, on Sunday, Jan. 15, shortly after 6:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a stabbing at 301 Fitch Road. Police located 62-year-old Robert Wallace approximately 50 feet away from the home suffering from stab wounds, and he was transported to Abington Hospital, where he died at around 7:06 p.m.
An autopsy determined Wallace died of multiple stab wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide.
Officers also found Wallace’s neighbor and occupant of the home, Christopher Casey, with a stab wound to his thigh. He was transported to a hospital for treatment. According to WPVI-TV, Casey’s injury was self-inflicted and accidental.
Casey initially called emergency dispatchers and said Wallace “broke my window,” and “I attacked my neighbor. He came to attack me,” the news source reports.
On the front porch of the home, police recovered a large military-style knife, as well as a cellphone. Upon further search of the area, officers noticed the window of the home was open, and a screen had been removed and placed in a nearby grassy area. Officers also observed blood inside and outside the home.
According to police and the district attorney’s office, Casey and Wallace “were known to Upper Moreland Police due to ongoing arguments.” They reportedly argued “about the defendant’s loud snoring,” which Wallace “could hear through the shared wall of the two residences.”
WPVI reports the two men had been dealing with “personal issues” for around a year and a half, and police had been called to the area several times.
Police allege on the day of the fatal stabbing, Wallace went to Casey’s home while he was eating, removed the window screen, and a verbal argument ensued.
According to WPVI, Wallace and Casey spoke through the window for about 20 minutes, and Wallace eventually calmed down and offered to help pay for nasal surgery to treat Casey’s loud snoring. Casey allegedly unlocked his front door but kept a knife in his hand and a stun gun underneath a blanket.
Charging documents reviewed by WPVI said, “Casey described Wallace as being very ‘volatile.'” The documents continued, “Casey said he did not believe Wallace’s intention of ‘try to work this out’ and ‘shake hands’ and try ‘to fix this situation’ was genuine.”
Casey allegedly used a military-style knife and stabbed Wallace multiple times. The defendant told police Wallace had not been threatening him when the attack occurred in the doorway, WPVI reports.
Police arrested Casey on Thursday, Jan. 18, on charges of third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and possessing an instrument of crime. A judge set his bail at $1 million. Casey is set to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 29.
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