HATBORO, PA – A long-standing dispute over loud snoring turned deadly in Montgomery County, where a man was stabbed to death by his neighbor. Authorities said Christopher James Casey, 55, allegedly stabbed Robert Wallace, 62, several times in the chest after Wallace unplugged a window screen and allegedly attempted to enter Casey’s residence in Hatboro, about 20 miles north of Philadelphia.
The two men, who had an extensive history of arguments over Casey’s loud snoring that Wallace could hear through their shared walls, were known to local authorities. Their feuding had led to multiple police calls over the past 18 months.
According to Casey, Wallace approached his residence on Sunday evening while Casey was eating dinner. Following an attempted intrusion through a window, the two engaged in a heated yelling match that quickly spiraled out of control.
When emergency services arrived on the scene, Wallace was found lying on the ground near his home and was taken to Abington Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Casey was also transferred to the same facility for treatment of a self-inflicted stab wound he suffered in the thigh during the altercation. While in the hospital, Casey reportedly confessed to the police that Wallace had not been threatening at the time he was stabbed. He divulged that the ongoing “personal issues” had caused Wallace to repeatedly call the police due to the loud snoring.
Casey revealed that during the fatal argument, Wallace seemed to calm down and extended an offer to shake hands. He also supposedly proposed to contribute financially towards nasal surgery to help alleviate Casey’s snoring problem.
However, Casey expressed skepticism over Wallace’s motives. As a result, Casey reportedly decided to “surprise him” by stabbing Wallace.
After the incident, Casey dialed 911 and narrated the event to the police dispatcher, stating that Wallace had “broke my window” and “came to attack me,” as per police affidavit.
While on-site, the authorities observed signs of a violent altercation. They found blood inside and outside the house, as well as the displaced window screen on the front yard and an open window.