A man has been found guilty of killing his roommate in his Hartford home on July 25, 2020, according to the State's Attorney's Office.
A 64-year-old man, identified as Victor King, was found dead in his home and police arrested his roommate, 45-year-old Jerry Thompson, in connection to his death. He has since been found guilty of killing King.
Police responded to Asylum Avenue just after 3:30 p.m. to check on King after a tenant reported not seeing his neighbor in more than a day and officers found King’s body on the kitchen floor, partially covered by a sheet.
Major crimes responded and took over the investigation. Police said King had sustained severe trauma to several parts of his body from a “bladed instrument.”
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A member of the Hartford Police Auto Theft Unit found Thompson inside a vehicle in Keney Park and took him into custody, officials said.
Evidence presented at trial showed that King had been trying to have Thompson evicted for not paying rent. Hours before his death, King contacted police through their tip line saying Thompson was threatening him with a sword, and he intended to make an in-person complaint.
Officials said video surveillance obtained in the area showed Thompson parking his car near the home and walking toward the front door with a long object in his hand. He returned to his car wearing different clothing about 20 minutes later, the State's Attorney's Office said.
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After not returning texts or phone calls the following day, officers responded to King's home where he was found decapitated. During the investigation, police went to the Farmington River in Bloomfield and found a long Samurai-style sword consistent with King's wounds.
Thompson was charged with one count of murder and bond was set at $2 million. He is expected to appear in court on Oct. 11.
