A 40-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after he intervened in a fight between his parents and choked his father to death, authorities say.
Hans Knickerbocker attacked his 63-year-old father, Philip A. Knickerbocker, at the family home in Russell, New York, on the evening of February 25, according to a criminal complaint.
Court documents, obtained by WWNY, say the fatal incident followed a marital dispute between Philip Knickerbocker and his wife, Jacqueline. During the argument, Knickerbocker Sr poured coffee on his wife’s head and tried to punch her, according to court documents.
Hans Knickerbocker then confronted his father. He attacked him with his fists, used both hands to choke him, and applied his full body weight to Philip’s throat, according to the complaint.
Troopers responded to the home, near the Canadian border, around 7:49 p.m., to find the elder Knickerbocker dead on the couch, according to a NYS police release.
“During the incident, Hans allegedly struck his father in the head and strangled him,” the release states.
The complaints also allege that Hans “did intentionally cause death” to his father by “choking the victim, restricting his ability to breathe, until he was ultimately deceased.”
An autopsy determined the cause of death was asphyxia due to strangulation, WWNY reported. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Hans Knickerbocker was arrested the night of the killing and initially charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. After the autopsy confirmed the cause of death, he was charged with second-degree murder.
Hans Knickerbocker was taken to State Police barracks in Canton for questioning and later arraigned in the Town of Hermon Court. He is being held at the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility.
