WHITINGHAM, VT — A man from Whitingham, Vermont, has been arrested following a report of a possible homicide that occurred earlier this year.
On Tuesday, Vermont State Police were notified by an individual who arrived at the Rutland Barracks with information about a potential homicide that had taken place in February. The incident occurred at a home near the intersection of Vermont Route 100 and Corse Road.
Following the investigation, authorities discovered that 75-year-old Robert J. Francis had been fatally shot. His 30-year-old roommate, Justin Stacy, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and providing false information to law enforcement.
According to court documents, Stacy allegedly told a family member that the shooting was a “mercy killing.” The family member reported Stacy’s erratic behavior, including an incident where Stacy had fired a muzzleloader outside the residence, prompting them to come forward.
Stacy was arraigned in Vermont Superior Court in Brattleboro on Wednesday and is currently being held without the right to bail as he faces charges related to the killing of Robert J. Francis.
