An assistant Wayne County medical examiner claims that a 91-year-old Detroit senior might have been forced to drink gasoline before he was beaten and burned to death in his home.
Around 3 am Officers and firefighters were called to a Bentler Court home due to a fire that set the house ablaze. It was there they discovered the body of Paul Monchnik, a retired TV repairman.
Monchnik was found with severe burns all over his body and a fatal head injury. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to police, it was a robbery that lead to Monchnik’s death inside his home. Police claim the suspect went to a nearby gas station and filled up a gas can before returning to Monchnik’s home and setting it on fire.
The Autopsy report states that Monchnik was found with a fifth of a cup of an accelerant, similar to gasoline, in his body at the time of his autopsy, claims Dr. Kilak Kesha. The teen suspect may have forced the 91-year-old Monchnik to consume it before beating him and lighting the older man on fire.
“It would have to come through the mouth,” Kesha testified in court. “The victim could have drank it or (had it put into his open mouth while he was unconscious).”
Judge Kenneth King told the court that it was heartbreaking that Monchick was murdered in such a violent and cruel manner.
The suspect is George Steward, a 17-year-old neighbor of Monchnik. A Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson told the press that the teen suspect was charged with felony murder and arson in the case.
Police said Steward entered the home in the early morning hours before assaulting the elderly victim.
“The word ‘heinous’ does not even begin to describe this crime,” Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.
The retired TV repair man lead was a widower and a father of three. He had lived in the house for over 65 years.
“These neighbors, actually, have been helping my dad for years. So I’m really having a hard time getting my head around the idea that someone from their family was involved,” the victim’s son said.
During the investigation police released surveillance footage of the 17-year-old suspect buying gasoline, at a nearby gas station, before the fire. Steward was arrested the following day.
The suspect was charged with felony murder, first-degree premeditated murder, and burning a dwelling.
He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life behind bars.
Watch the video report here: ClickOnDetroit/Youtube
Source: AWM
