NORRISTOWN >> A Norristown man is behind bars, charged with first-degree murder in the brutal slaying of another man he allegedly killed with a hammer following an argument.
Michael Bell, 34, of the 100 block of Schuylkill Avenue, reportedly admitted to striking 42-year-old Leroy McCray repeatedly with a hammer during an altercation in Bell’s apartment Saturday night.
According to arresting documents, police responded to the scene at 8:13 p.m. for a report of a dead body on the premises.
Bell reportedly escorted police to his apartment where McCray’s body was lying on a couch. Officers observed a large amount of blood at the scene and wounds to McCray’s head.
An autopsy by the Montgomery County Coroner’s office determined the “cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma to the head,” and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
In an initial interview with police, Bell denied any role in the killing and said he arrived home to find McCray deceased inside the residence.
He claimed to be in New Jersey for most of the day, and at a friend’s house in Norristown through the late afternoon and early evening.
After detectives pointed out several inconsistencies in his story, he reportedly admitted to killing McCray.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Bell recanted his earlier statement and said McCray came over to his apartment and was “acting weird.” He said they exchanged words and McCray pushed him. Then, Bell told investigators, he retrieved the hammer and struck McCray on the left side of his head.
Bell told police he struck McCray several more times as he fell to the ground, and McCray eventually stopped breathing.
Bell also reportedly told detectives that he staged the scene by placing McCray’s body on the couch and tried to dispose of the murder weapon and McCray’s cellphone and wallet — which he took $25 from — by placing the items in a plastic bag and tossing them behind his apartment building in the direction of the Schuylkill River.
Police later searched the area and recovered a bag containing a hammer and McCray’s belongings.
Police interviewed several of Bell’s associates whom he had mentioned in his original alibi, and all of their stories were consistent with Bell having concocted a cover-up.
In addition to murder, Bell has also been charged with robbery and possessing an instrument of crime.
Bail was denied by District Judge Margaret Hunsicker and Bell was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility with a preliminary hearing in Hunsicker’s court scheduled for Oct. 6.
Deputy District Attorney Thomas McGoldrick and Assistant District Attorney Doug Lavenberg will be prosecuting the case.
