A brutal and horrifying crime recently unfolded in Hartford, Connecticut, involving a landlord and tenant relationship that took a turn for the worse, resulting in a gruesome scene that has left the community in shock.
Victor King, a 64-year-old professional bridge player, confronted his tenant, Jerry David Thompson, 42, over a payment dispute at his rental property in Hartford. The disagreement escalated, leading Thompson to brandish a samurai sword against King. Tragically, King was later discovered dead in his kitchen, decapitated. The following day, police arrested Thompson.
Thompson had recently become a tenant in King’s home. Upon his arrest, he declared himself a sovereign citizen, asserting that he is beyond the reach of the law, and has refused to cooperate with the police investigation into King’s murder. When officers found King’s remains, his body had been partially covered with a sheet.
Concerned friends who had been unable to reach King, who was typically very responsive, alerted the police to check on him. Thompson was apprehended after King had previously reported an incident in which Thompson threatened him with the sword. After his arrest, Thompson cryptically instructed police to locate a document in his Jeep’s glove compartment, stating, “it is all you need.”
The document Thompson referred to declared his status as a sovereign citizen, implying that he does not consider himself an ordinary United States citizen. Thompson appeared in Superior Court on Tuesday, where his past arrests and convictions for assault and robbery were presented. He is currently being held on $2 million bail and faces murder charges for the horrific act committed against King.
Jim Banks, King’s cousin, spoke to reporters about King’s accomplishments, including winning the national championship in bridge in 2016. He described King as “very good at teaching others to play it” and as a “kind and gentle person whose first love was a bridge.” Banks continued, “[King was] one of the good guys — one that would never hurt a soul. One that would always reach out and help others. He was pleasant as can be. Always seemed to be happy. He was just a joy to be around.”
Paul Linxwiler, the executive editor of the Bridge Bulletin, praised King as a top player from New England, adding that he held their “highest rank.”
As investigators work to piece together the evidence, they must navigate the complexities introduced by Thompson’s claim of sovereign citizenship, which could potentially complicate the court proceedings in this shocking and violent case.
Source: AWM
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