A Vermont man has been charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly killed a person at his home.Vermont State Police charged 30-year-old Justin Stacy of Whitingham on Monday after they received a tip about a possible homicide that had taken place in February. He is also being charged providing false information to a police officer.During a court appearance on Wednesday afternoon, Stacy pleaded not guilty to the charges against him through his lawyer. He was ordered held without bail pending a weight of the evidence hearing.Troopers determined that the victim, identified as 75-year-old Robert Francis, had been killed at a home near the intersection of Vermont Route 100 and Corse Road and took Stacy into custody. Court paperwork obtained by NBC5 show that the suspect’s brother, Brian Stacy, and his girlfriend went to police on Monday to report the crime. Brian Stacy was living with his brother and Francis at the time of the incident.Brian Stacy reported hearing an altercation on the morning of Feb. 10 and going downstairs to find his brother attacking Francis. Brian Stacy fled the house and returned several hours later, when Justin Stacy told him he had killed Francis.Justin Stacy, meanwhile, told police that Francis injured himself while trying to attack him and asked Stacy to let him die, as he was allegedly suffering from pain due to medical issues.Brian Stacy then told police that he saw Francis’ dismembered body in the basement and witnessed his brother burning the remains in an outdoor fire pit. Francis had limited mobility and used an electric wheelchair.Justin Stacy allegedly told police during an interview that he had met the victim several years ago in Rhode Island and that the two had a “grandfather and grandson” relationship. Francis owned the home that they lived in, with Justin in charge of caring for the elderly man.Justin Stacy admitted in 2022 to a simple assault charge after he said he threw a cell phone at Francis, injuring him. He later gave police conflicting testimony about the nature of the incident. Editor’s note: VSP incorrectly listed Stacy’s age and the date of the investigation in a previous version of this story. The information has been updated.
A Vermont man has been charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly killed a person at his home.
Vermont State Police charged 30-year-old Justin Stacy of Whitingham on Monday after they received a tip about a possible homicide that had taken place in February. He is also being charged providing false information to a police officer.
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During a court appearance on Wednesday afternoon, Stacy pleaded not guilty to the charges against him through his lawyer. He was ordered held without bail pending a weight of the evidence hearing.
Troopers determined that the victim, identified as 75-year-old Robert Francis, had been killed at a home near the intersection of Vermont Route 100 and Corse Road and took Stacy into custody.
Court paperwork obtained by NBC5 show that the suspect’s brother, Brian Stacy, and his girlfriend went to police on Monday to report the crime. Brian Stacy was living with his brother and Francis at the time of the incident.
Brian Stacy reported hearing an altercation on the morning of Feb. 10 and going downstairs to find his brother attacking Francis. Brian Stacy fled the house and returned several hours later, when Justin Stacy told him he had killed Francis.
Justin Stacy, meanwhile, told police that Francis injured himself while trying to attack him and asked Stacy to let him die, as he was allegedly suffering from pain due to medical issues.
Brian Stacy then told police that he saw Francis’ dismembered body in the basement and witnessed his brother burning the remains in an outdoor fire pit. Francis had limited mobility and used an electric wheelchair.
Justin Stacy allegedly told police during an interview that he had met the victim several years ago in Rhode Island and that the two had a “grandfather and grandson” relationship. Francis owned the home that they lived in, with Justin in charge of caring for the elderly man.
Justin Stacy admitted in 2022 to a simple assault charge after he said he threw a cell phone at Francis, injuring him. He later gave police conflicting testimony about the nature of the incident.
Editor’s note: VSP incorrectly listed Stacy’s age and the date of the investigation in a previous version of this story. The information has been updated.
