Man who poured coffee on his wife’s head after an argument was strangled to death by his son
Background: News footage of the Knickerbockers' home in Hermon, N.Y. (WWNY). Inset: Hans Knickerbocker (St Lawrence County Sheriff's Office).
A New York man has been charged with murder after his father was found dead inside their home.
Hans Knickerbocker, 40, was arrested Feb. 25 in connection with the death of his father, 63-year-old Philip Knickerbocker. According to New York State Police, troopers were called to the family’s home in Hermon, New York, at about 7:49 p.m. after receiving a report of a deceased man inside the residence.
When officers arrived, they found Philip Knickerbocker’s body on a couch. Investigators later learned that a dispute had taken place in the home earlier that day.
Court documents obtained by local CBS affiliate WWNY state that Philip Knickerbocker had been arguing with his wife about their marriage. During the confrontation, he allegedly poured coffee over her head. Police said the argument escalated when Philip Knickerbocker then attempted to punch his wife.
According to the documents, Hans Knickerbocker heard the argument from his bedroom and got involved in the altercation. Investigators say he confronted his father and allegedly struck him with his fists before choking him with both hands. Authorities also allege that he placed his full body weight on top of his father while pressing an elbow onto the older man’s neck.
Police did not say whether Philip Knickerbocker’s wife is Hans Knickerbocker’s mother.
An autopsy determined that Philip Knickerbocker died from asphyxia caused by strangulation. After the death was ruled a homicide, Hans Knickerbocker was charged with second-degree murder.
He was arraigned Feb. 27 in Town of Canton Court and was taken to the St. Lawrence County Jail, where he is being held without bail. His next court appearance was not immediately available.
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