New York man found guilty of killing his neighbor and hiding his body

SANDY CREEK, N.Y. (TCN) -- Prosecutors recently announced the conviction of a 64-year-old man who fatally shot his neighbor amid a dispute and tried to conceal his body under piles of clothing.

According to a June 11 news release from the Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office, a jury found Alva Parsons guilty of the second-degree murder in the death of Charles "Chuckie" Rothenburg, as well as second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree coercion. Parsons faces up to 25 years to life in prison and is expected to be sentenced on Aug. 2.

Prosecutors argued Parsons fatally shot Rothenburg on the morning of June 27, 2022. According to Syracuse.com, the victim and his girlfriend lived in a camping trailer next to Parsons’ home. Rothenburg and Parsons allegedly got into a dispute in the defendant’s home, during which Parsons shot him in the neck. The district attorney’s office said the "bullet lodged in the victim’s brain, killing him."

Following the victim’s death, Parsons reportedly dragged Rothenburg’s body into a bedroom and hid him underneath a pile of clothes. Prosecutors said Parsons also "threatened an eyewitness with physical injury to prevent her from leaving his residence."

An individual requested a welfare check on Rothenburg, and investigators reportedly searched for two days until receiving a tip that he might be in the defendant’s home.

During the trial, prosecutors said they presented evidence, including photographs, text messages from Parsons’ phone, DNA evidence, and police officer testimony. Eyewitnesses also provided statements in court.

The victim reportedly leaves behind three children.

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