Pennsylvania man arrested, charged for killing neighbour over loud snoring

A man from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, is accused of stabbing to death a neighbour he had long feuded with over the accused man’s loud snoring, authorities revealed on Friday.

Christopher James Casey, 55, on Thursday was charged with causing the death of Robert Wallace, 62, who had been stabbed multiple times earlier this week in Hatboro.

According to Upper Moreland Township Police and Montgomery County prosecutors, Wallace and Casey were involved in a verbal confrontation at Casey's residence during dinner last Sunday, ABC6 reported.

The confrontation soon escalated and Casey stabbed Wallace in the chest with a large, "military-style knife."

During an interview at Abington Hospital Casey told authorities that Wallace did not intend to cause harm or threats.

Both neighbours had been experiencing "personal issues" for the past year and a half due to Wallace's complaints about his loud snoring which the victim could hear through the shared wall of the two residences.

A few minutes after the argument, Wallace appeared calm and offered to help pay for nasal surgery to alleviate Casey's snoring. Casey then stabbed him with a knife, according to Casey's affidavit.

"Casey described Wallace as being very 'volatile' 'very strong,' 'he's angry' type of person," police wrote in the charging documents. "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. As a result, Casey decided to 'surprise him' by stabbing Wallace with a knife."

Police responded to Casey's 911 call at around 6:30 pm on Sunday, January 15. They found Wallace's body near Casey's home, while Casey himself sustained a leg wound and sought medical attention

Casey told emergency dispatchers that Wallace "broke my window," police said in an affidavit. "I attacked my neighbour. He came to attack me."

Casey, charged with third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and possessing crime instruments, remains jailed with $1 million bail. No lawyer is listed in court records, and no information about his defence lawyer is available.