Christopher Casey, 55 of the Hatboro section of Upper Moreland Township, has been charged with third degree murder in connection with the death of his neighbor, Robert Wallace, 62, of 303 Fitch Road on Sunday, January 15.
According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office, at 6:34pm on Sunday, Upper Moreland Township Police responded to a 911 call by Casey for a stabbing at his residence at 301 Fitch Road in the Hatboro section of Upper Moreland Township. Responding police found Wallace about 50 feet from the residence, suffering from stab wounds. Wallace was transported to Abington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:06pm.
Casey was also transported to Abington Hospital and treated for a stab wound to his right thigh.
Upper Moreland Township Police and Montgomery County Detectives learned that the two men had ongoing arguments, including arguments about the defendant’s loud snoring, which the victim could hear through their shared wall. According to police, Wallace showed up at Casey’s residence while Casey was eating dinner. Following a verbal altercation between the two men, Casey used a large, military style knife to stab Wallace several times. Police found blood both inside and outside of the residence.
On scene, Upper Moreland police found a large military-style knife and a cellphone on the front porch of Casey’s home. In a nearby grassy area, they found a window screen that had been removed from a window by the front door. The window was open when police arrived.
On Monday, January 15, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Ian Hood, with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, conducted an autopsy on Wallace’s body and determined that the cause of death was multiple stab wounds and manner of death was homicide.
Casey was arrested on Thursday, January 18 and charged with Third-Degree Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter and Possessing an Instrument of Crime. He was arraigned by Court of Common Pleas Judge Wendy Rothstein, who set bail at $1 million cash.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30am on Monday, January 29, before Magisterial District Judge Thomas Murt. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Allison M. Ruth.
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Photo: Montgomery County District Attorney