A 40-year-old man in Hermon, New York, faces second-degree murder charges after strangling his 63-year-old father during a domestic dispute. The incident followed an argument between the father and his wife that turned physical. Police responded to the home on February 25 and determined the death was a homicide.
On February 25, New York State Police troopers arrived at a home in Hermon, New York, at 7:49 p.m. following a report of a deceased man. They discovered the body of 63-year-old Philip Knickerbocker on a couch. An investigation revealed that earlier that day, Philip had argued with his wife about their marriage.
The verbal dispute escalated when Philip poured coffee on his wife's head and attempted to punch her, according to court documents obtained by local CBS affiliate WWNY. Hans Knickerbocker, 40, Philip's son, overheard the argument from his bedroom and intervened. He confronted his father, allegedly beating him with his fists before choking him with both hands. Hans then reportedly placed his full body weight on his father, with his elbow on Philip's neck.
An autopsy confirmed that Philip died from asphyxia due to strangulation, ruling the death a homicide. Police did not specify if Philip's wife was Hans's mother.
Hans Knickerbocker was arrested on February 25 and charged with second-degree murder. He was arraigned on February 27 in the Town of Canton Court and held without bail at the St. Lawrence County Jail. His next court date was not publicly available at the time of the report.
The incident highlights elements of domestic violence and patricide in upstate New York, as noted in police keywords associated with the case.