Jail Time for Manslaughter in Neighbor’s Death
A suburban Philadelphia man has been sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the stabbing death of his neighbor, Robert Wallace, following a dispute over loud snoring. Christopher Casey, 56, of Upper Moreland, received a sentence of 11½ to 23 months in Montgomery County Jail, followed by three years of probation.
Dispute Over Snoring Leads to Tragedy
The incident, which occurred on January 14, escalated when Wallace, 62, pushed in Casey’s first-floor window and threatened to kill him over the noise of his snoring. The two men, who lived next to each other in a duplex, shared a common wall, and the noise had reportedly caused significant tension between them. Prosecutors charged Casey with third-degree murder, but the charge was later reduced as part of a plea agreement.
Apology and Sentencing
In court, Casey expressed remorse for his actions, calling the fatal argument “unfortunate.” He apologized to Wallace’s relatives, who had described the impact the noise and resulting fatigue had on Wallace’s life and ability to work.
Defense attorney James Lyons argued that Casey, who had been repeatedly threatened by Wallace, was a “really good man” who was not equipped to handle the ongoing abuse and threats from his neighbor. Despite the circumstances, Casey’s actions led to Wallace’s death, resulting in the manslaughter conviction.
