by Guy Page

A Whitingham man has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his 75-year-old roommate earlier this year.

Justin Stacy, 30, entered the plea Wednesday in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Brattleboro, where he was also charged with providing false information to a police officer. He remains in custody following his arraignment.

The Vermont State Police identified the victim as Robert J. Francis, who shared a home with Stacy near the intersection of Vermont Route 100 and Corse Road in Whitingham. Authorities say the investigation began Monday evening, after someone reported a possible homicide that had occurred back in February.

According to a report by WCAX citing court documents, Stacy’s brother told investigators that he, Stacy, and Francis all lived at the residence. On the morning of February 10, the brother reportedly witnessed Stacy punching and kicking Francis. After leaving the house and returning hours later, he said Stacy told him Francis was dead and claimed to have dismembered the body in the basement.

Police later found evidence that Francis’ remains had been burned in a fire pit on the property.

Investigators say Stacy gave conflicting accounts of what happened, including a claim that the death was an assisted suicide. Authorities noted that Stacy’s explanations shifted multiple times over the course of their interviews.