Man found guilty in beating death of roommate over stolen beer

BRENTWOOD, Pa. — The man accused of beating his roommate over stolen beer was found guilty Monday of involuntary manslaughter.

Justin Vankirk, 35, was charged in the November 2016 beating death of 58-year-old Charles Parker.

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Several factors led to the verdict, but the police interrogation tape played a big role.

"I hope they prove that he died on his own," Vankirk said during his police questioning in Parker's murder.

Recorded by police, it was played for the judge during Vankirk's homicide trial, and ended up playing a key role in the judge's verdict Monday.

"I don't remember. He was coming at me, I was trying to avoid him, he was drunk and so was I," Vankirk can also be heard saying during the interrogation.

Prosecutors said Vankirk beat his much older roommate because he thought Parker stole a case of beer from him.

Police testified to the sheer brutality of the crime scene, which covered the floors and walls of their house in Brentwood .
 
Vankirk's defense was that Parker was drunk and fell.

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"I think he fell on his face, I think he fell on himself," Vankirk said. "I hope the results come back and I don't get in trouble."
  
Vankirk chose a nonjury trial and after three days of testimony, and the taped recording, the judge found Vankirk guilty.

Vankirk remains on house arrest until his sentencing, which is set for February.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group