Man Who Poured Coffee on Wife’s Head Strangled to Death by Son, Police Say

A 40-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the alleged strangling of his father. The victim, Philip Knickerbocker, 63, allegedly poured hot coffee on his wife during an argument, authorities said. During the incident, his son Hans Knickerbocker,40, intervened, which allegedly led to the strangling, authorities said.

On February 25, New York State Police troopers responded to a 911 call from a home in Russel in upstate New York near the Canadian border about a deceased person inside the residence. When the troopers arrived, a man later identified as Philip Knickerbocker, 63, was found dead on a couch, authorities said.

According to a statement released by authorities, investigators determined that Philip Knickerbocker and his son were involved in a verbal argument, which escalated into a physical altercation, police alleged. Hans Knickerbocker was arrested on February 25 and initially charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.

Hans Knickerbocker was arraigned in Hermon Town court and remanded to the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility instead of posting $5,000 cash bail, $10,000 bond, or a $20,000 secured bond.

An autopsy on February 27 determined that Philip Knickerbocker's cause of death was asphyxia as a result of strangulation, according to police. After autopsy results were released, the manner of death was ruled as homicide. On February 27, Hans Knickerbocker was charged with second-degree murder.

According to a felony complaint obtained by authorities, Hans Knickerbocker intentionally caused his father's death by "choking the victim, restricting his ability to breathe, until he was ultimately deceased.”

After his arraignment at the Hermon Town Court, he was remanded to the St. Lawrence County jail without bail.

Court documents obtained by News 7 detail what allegedly happened on the night of February 25 before the fatal strangulation. Philip Knickerbocker and his wife, Jacqueline, argued about their marriage in the living room. During the argument, Philip Knickerbocker poured coffee on his wife’s head and tried to punch her, according to court documents.

Hans Knickerbocker intervened and allegedly used both hands to choke his father, putting his entire body weight on his father’s throat with his elbow, according to the documents.

The investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear whether Hans Knickerbocker has hired an attorney.