Perkiomen Man Charged with Murder After Hammer Attack on Girlfriend
UPDATE: A jury hears shocking details as a Perkiomen Township man, William Roy Carey Jr., faces murder charges following a brutal hammer attack on his girlfriend, Jessica Zipkin, on November 1, 2024. Prosecutors assert that Carey, aged 47, struck Zipkin, 34, over 20 times, resulting in fatal injuries.
During the opening statements of Carey’s homicide trial, Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Christian Garfield Taffe emphasized the horrific nature of the crime. “Jessica is struck in the head with a hammer over and over and over again at least 20 times,” Taffe stated, arguing that intentional murder can be inferred when a deadly weapon is used against a vital area of the body.
The prosecutor revealed that following the attack, Carey left Zipkin alone in a “cold, dark room” for nearly 10 hours and allegedly took steps to conceal his crime by disposing of bloodstained clothing. This chilling revelation underscores the case’s gravity, with the prosecution seeking a conviction for first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence.
Defense attorneys Joseph Schultz and Scott Frank Frame are countering the prosecution’s claims, suggesting Carey was under the influence of methamphetamine during the incident. “We know how these drugs can overpower you and that leads to a loss of being rational and sensible,” Frame explained, arguing that Carey could not have formed the specific intent to kill.
The courtroom was filled with tension as jurors were shown graphic evidence, including crime scene photos that prompted one juror to bow his head in apparent distress. The autopsy revealed Zipkin suffered catastrophic injuries, with forensic pathologist Dr. Ian Hood confirming a minimum of 20 impacts to her head.
Authorities were alerted around 1:25 AM on November 2 when a 911 call reported a deceased female at a boarding house where Carey had rented a room. State Police Trooper Michael Whitman arrived to find Zipkin lying face down, with a hammer beside her body, further corroborating the violent nature of the attack.
The investigation revealed a mixture of DNA from both Carey and Zipkin on the weapon, while traces of methamphetamine were found in Zipkin’s bloodstream, although the pathologist ruled her cause of death as blunt head trauma.
Witnesses testified about Carey’s behavior leading up to the murder, including an emotional encounter with a manager at the Duck Inn, where he worked. “He was visibly upset, crying,” said manager Morgan Marsilio, who described a significant change in Carey’s demeanor that day.
As the trial progresses, the defense aims to downgrade the charges to third-degree murder, which carries a lighter sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison. Prosecutors are expected to conclude their case soon, with jurors potentially deliberating as early as Thursday.
Carey remains in custody without bail, awaiting the trial’s outcome. The implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom, reflecting the devastating impact of domestic violence and substance abuse in communities.
This developing story continues to unfold, and updates will be provided as new details emerge.
