Philadelphia Man Sentenced for Fatally Stabbing Neighbor in Dispute Over Loud Snoring
Christopher Casey, 55, of Hatboro, has been sentenced to 11-and-a-half to 23 months in prison, followed by three years of probation, after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and possession of an instrument of crime in connection with the fatal stabbing of his neighbor, Robert Wallace, 62. The incident stemmed from a long-standing dispute over Casey's loud snoring, which Wallace could hear through their shared wall.
The confrontation occurred on January 15 when Upper Moreland Township Police responded to a 911 call made by Casey, who reported a stabbing at his home. Officers found Wallace, who had sustained multiple stab wounds, about 50 feet from Casey's residence. Both men were transported to Abington Hospital, where Wallace was pronounced dead an hour later.
According to investigators, the conflict escalated when Wallace removed a window screen to confront Casey about his snoring while Casey was having dinner. The two argued, with Wallace allegedly threatening to kill Casey. Casey then stabbed Wallace several times with a large military-style knife.
Casey claimed that after a 20-minute discussion through the window, Wallace seemed to calm down and even offered to help pay for Casey's nasal surgery. However, Casey, suspicious of Wallace's intentions, decided to stab him. The leg wound Casey sustained was determined to be self-inflicted and accidental.
Casey was initially arrested on charges of third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and possession of an instrument of crime, with bail set at $1 million. In court, Casey apologized to Wallace's family, calling the deadly argument "unfortunate." The defense argued that Casey had been threatened multiple times before the incident and described him as "a really good man who was not equipped to deal with this sustained abuse and threats."
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