Perkiomen Man Faces Trial with Intoxication Defense in Fatal Beating
URGENT UPDATE: A Perkiomen Township man, William Roy Carey Jr., is set to defend himself with a voluntary intoxication claim during his homicide trial, beginning on September 9, 2025. Carey, 47, stands accused of fatally beating his girlfriend, Jessica Zipkin, 34, with a hammer during a domestic dispute on November 1, 2024.
In a critical pretrial hearing on September 5, Carey announced his strategy to dispute the prosecution’s assertion that he had a specific intent to kill Zipkin. His defense team aims to introduce evidence indicating he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident, which could potentially mitigate the charges from first-degree murder to a lesser degree.
The prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorney Kelly S. Lloyd, is pursuing a first-degree murder conviction, which carries a mandatory life sentence. Alternatively, a third-degree murder conviction could result in a sentence ranging from 20 to 40 years in prison.
During the hearing, Judge Wendy G. Rothstein ruled that jurors would be shown graphic photographs and videos of the crime scene, including autopsy images, to illustrate the nature of the attack. Despite defense objections that the visuals could inflame jurors’ emotions, the judge affirmed their necessity for a full understanding of the case, saying, “There is no need to sanitize the evidence.”
The incident unfolded around 1:25 a.m. on November 2, when state police responded to a 911 call reporting a possible deceased female in a boarding house on Gravel Pike. Upon arrival, officers discovered Zipkin face down, with significant blunt force trauma to her head, and a blood-covered hammer beside her body, according to the criminal complaint.
Prosecutors allege that Carey exhibited a “specific intent to kill,” which his defense seeks to challenge. They will present evidence of his intoxication to argue that he was incapable of forming such intent, which is crucial for a first-degree murder conviction. Carey is not allowed to introduce any other defenses during the trial.
The case is further complicated by the past of Carey’s brother, Kyle Carey, who was convicted in July of supplying alcohol and marijuana to a minor and subsequently sexually assaulting her. This connection adds a disturbing layer to the trial, highlighting a family history of serious crimes.
As jury selection approaches, Carey remains incarcerated without bail. The trial is expected to last approximately four days, drawing significant public interest due to the nature of the allegations and the emotional impact on the victims’ families.
This developing story underscores the urgent need for justice in domestic violence cases, with serious implications for both the accused and the victims involved. Stay tuned for updates as the trial progresses and more details emerge.
