Knox
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 17, 2009
- Messages
- 30,805
- Reaction score
- 196,842
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Walter Balkum, 43, is charged with manslaughter and criminal contempt in the death of his girlfriend, Melikah Bruner.
Police say Balkum repeatedly hit Bruner in the head and upper body, causing her death. Officers arrived at Bruner’s home on Hazelwood Terrace on August 27, just before 11:30 p.m., to find she had already died. Police say Balkum ran off from the scene before they got there.
Police say the beating happened in front of Bruner’s child, who called 911.
Police say Balkum was arrested and indicted back in June for felony assault against Bruner. He was released on his own recognizance, with an order of protection for Bruner.
But, according to police, his ankle monitor wasn’t on at the time of Bruner’s death because Judge Karen Bailey Turner removed it at the request of his attorney to help him find employment.
Over the phone, his attorney Ted Barraco said the ankle monitor tracked whenever Balkum leaved his house, never his location. The intent behind the ankle monitor is to avoid home confinement. Removing it allowed Balkum an opportunity to turn his life around and get a job, said Barraco.
www.whec.com
Police say Balkum repeatedly hit Bruner in the head and upper body, causing her death. Officers arrived at Bruner’s home on Hazelwood Terrace on August 27, just before 11:30 p.m., to find she had already died. Police say Balkum ran off from the scene before they got there.
Police say the beating happened in front of Bruner’s child, who called 911.
Police say Balkum was arrested and indicted back in June for felony assault against Bruner. He was released on his own recognizance, with an order of protection for Bruner.
But, according to police, his ankle monitor wasn’t on at the time of Bruner’s death because Judge Karen Bailey Turner removed it at the request of his attorney to help him find employment.
Over the phone, his attorney Ted Barraco said the ankle monitor tracked whenever Balkum leaved his house, never his location. The intent behind the ankle monitor is to avoid home confinement. Removing it allowed Balkum an opportunity to turn his life around and get a job, said Barraco.
![www.whec.com](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whec.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F09%2FHazelwood-Terrace-court.png&hash=440496a44adc5c1163d3b1e8bd0f372a&return_error=1)
'Electric chair': Victim's son outraged after murder suspect's arraignment
A man is accused of beating his girlfriend to death at a home on Hazelwood Terrace in late August.
![www.whec.com](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whec.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F08%2Fcropped-WHEC-favicon-logo-32x32.png&hash=5c25dc78a14b825bf306eb6c8f3fc349&return_error=1)