A New York man has been charged with murder after allegedly strangling his father to death when the older man poured coffee on his wife's head and tried to punch her during a domestic dispute, authorities said.
New York State Police identified the suspect as 40-year-old Hans Knickerbocker of Hermon, who is accused of killing his father, 63-year-old Philip Knickerbocker, inside a home on Pyrites-Russell Road in the town of Russell on the night of February 25.
Troopers responded to the residence around 7:49 p.m. after a call reporting a deceased person inside the house, according to People.
When officers arrived, they found Philip Knickerbocker dead on a couch in the living room. Investigators noted signs of foul play and began looking into the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to court documents and police statements, the incident began as an argument between Philip and his wife about their marriage. During the dispute, Philip allegedly poured coffee over his wife's head and then tried to punch her, prompting Hans to intervene, authorities said.
Police say Hans confronted his father after hearing the argument from his bedroom, and the confrontation quickly turned physical. Hans allegedly struck his father in the head and then choked him using both hands while placing his body weight and an elbow on his father's neck, causing him to lose consciousness, The Sun reported.
An autopsy conducted on February 27 determined that Philip died from asphyxia due to strangulation, and the death was ruled a homicide. Following the autopsy results and additional evidence, investigators upgraded the case to murder.
Hans was initially charged on February 25 with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and was held on bail at the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility.
After the homicide ruling, he was additionally charged with second-degree murder, arraigned in Town of Canton Court, and remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail without bail.
State police say the investigation remains ongoing, and they have not clarified whether Philip's wife is also Hans's mother. Authorities have not released information about a possible defense or any attorney representing Hans, as per Law and Crime.
