The suspect accused of murdering a 75-year-old man found dead at his Barrie home late Saturday night is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Sonny Conrad Stephens, 46, of Barrie, has been charged with second-degree murder following the senior's death at 317 Grove St. E., near Duckworth Street, on Saturday, July 13.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
The victim’s roommate, who declined to be identified, claims he called police after witnessing the attack.
“It was an ugly thing to witness. I watched the ending portion of it happening,” he told BarrieToday outside the house the next morning. “The guy used his hands and feet. Disgusting.”
Upon arrival just before midnight, officers located the victim, who was unconscious with injuries to his head and face. Despite the life-saving efforts of police and paramedics, the victim died from his injuries, according to police.
The roommate said he did not hear anything before the struggle began and was in his bedroom at the time.
“The old guy was already down” when the roommate says he saw where the assault was occurring.
He says confronted the attacker. “I told him I was calling the cops. I was trying to get him to stop a little bit, scare him off or whatever, but it was too late,” he added.
He said he then called police who were there “in minutes.”
“The men were not related, but knew one another,” Barrie police communications co-ordinator told BarrieToday on Monday. “He didn’t reside there, either.”
Police said the investigation revealed the suspect had been involved in an altercation with the victim and fled the scene prior to officers' arrival.
Shortly after 6 a.m. on Sunday, the accused was located, arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court by video on July 16.
