Brentwood man jailed on charges he beat roomie over stolen beers
BRENTWOOD, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania man who allegedly beat his roommate for stealing some beer has been jailed on an aggravated assault charge and could soon be charged with homicide.
Allegheny County police are waiting for results of an autopsy on the victim, Charles Parker, before deciding whether to add the homicide charge against 34-year-old Justin Vankirk.
Police say Vankirk told them his roommate died Tuesday, but police say his version of how he found the victim’s body and other details varied. Under further questioning, police say Vankirk acknowledged punching and beating Parker before going to bed Monday night. Police say they also found a picture of the beaten victim on Vankirk’s cellphone.
Online court records don’t list an attorney for Vankirk who remained jailed Thursday.