Vermont Man Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Gruesome Home Incident
WHITINGHAM, Vt. — A 30-year-old man, Justin Stacy, has been charged with second-degree murder following the alleged killing of 75-year-old Robert Francis at their shared residence. Vermont State Police made the arrest on Monday after receiving a tip regarding a homicide that reportedly occurred in February.
During a court appearance on Wednesday, Stacy pleaded not guilty and was ordered to be held without bail pending a hearing to weigh the evidence against him. His lawyer opted not to comment following the session. Deputy State’s Attorney Dana Nevins highlighted the unique and concerning nature of the case, stressing that public safety remains a top priority.
According to police reports, the crime scene is located near the intersection of Vermont Route 100 and Corse Road. The case began unraveling when Brian Stacy, Justin’s brother, and his girlfriend approached authorities with their account of the events. Brian, living with Justin and Francis at the time, claimed he heard an altercation on February 10. He reported finding Justin allegedly attacking Francis and subsequently witnessing his brother burning Francis’ dismembered remains in an outdoor fire pit.
In contrast, Justin Stacy has claimed that Francis sustained injuries while attempting to attack him and expressed a desire to die due to ongoing medical issues. Stacy described their relationship as akin to that of a "grandfather and grandson," asserting he was responsible for caring for Francis, who had limited mobility and used an electric wheelchair.
This is not Stacy’s first brush with the law; he pleaded guilty in 2022 to simple assault for throwing a cell phone at Francis, resulting in injury. Conflicting statements have emerged throughout the investigation, complicating the timeline.
Authorities continue to investigate as they prepare for the next steps in this shocking case.
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