A Pennsylvania man who snored loudly allegedly murdered his neighbor with whom he had a long-standing feud over nighttime noise. The victim complained that the noise could be heard through the wall that connects the house.
Christopher James Casey, 55, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of stabbing 62-year-old Robert Wallace to death Sunday night during an argument over snoring that turned fatal. According to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.
Wallace showed up at Casey's house in Hatboro (about 20 miles north of Philadelphia) while Casey was eating dinner, took out the screen door and unlocked the window on Casey's balcony. Afterwards, the two started yelling at each other.
Prosecutors said the argument escalated and Casey stabbed Wallace several times in the chest with a large military-style knife.
Wallace was found lying on the ground 50 feet from his home and taken to Abington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Prosecutors said Casey was also taken to the same hospital and treated for a self-inflicted stab wound to his right thigh.
Mr Casey told police at the hospital that Mr Wallace had not threatened him when she stabbed him in the doorway, but revealed the pair had been having “personal issues” for the past 18 months. Police were called multiple times with complaints about Wallace's snoring. WPVI reported.
Prosecutors said the two were “already known to police due to ongoing arguments, including one over the defendant's loud snoring, which could be heard by the victim through the shared wall of the two residences.”
After speaking through the window for about 20 minutes, Casey told police that Wallace appeared calm, wanted to shake hands, and offered money for a nose job to correct his snoring, according to an affidavit obtained by the outlet. He said he had even offered to help.
But Casey didn't believe him.
“Mr. Casey stated that he did not believe Mr. Wallace's intentions to “solve the issue'' and “shake hands'' to “resolve the situation'' were genuine, police said in the affidavit. Ta. “As a result, Casey decided to ‘surprise’ Wallace by stabbing him with a knife.”
According to a police affidavit, the man called 911 and told emergency dispatchers that Wallace had “broken the window.” “I attacked his neighbor. He came to attack me.”
Police said they found bloodstains inside and outside the home, window screens were scattered across the lawn and the windows were fully open.
Prosecutors said Casey was charged with third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and possession of criminal instruments. He remained in custody Friday, with bail set at $1 million.
He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on January 29th.
