SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah, April 3, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A South Salt Lake man has been formally charged in the stabbing death of his father.
Warren Richard Phelps, 38, was charged Monday with one count of first-degree murder in the March 19 stabbing death of Richard Phelps, 65, with whom he lived.
Police responded to the apartment, near 2757 S. 300 East, at about 6:30 p.m., a probable cause statement says.
“Officers contacted Warren Richard Phelps, who told them his father, Richard Phelps was in the bedroom, probably dead,” the statement says. “Officers located the body of Richard Phelps in a bedroom and he was pronounced dead on scene.
“Phelps stated, post-Miranda, that his father was in his bedroom with the door locked and they argued through the door. Phelps stated he retrieved a knife from the kitchen, then returned to his father’s bedroom door and kicked the door open.
“Phelps stated he stabbed his father several times. Phelps stated he returned the knife to its case in the kitchen. Officers located a bloody knife in a case in the kitchen.”
The elder Phelps died from multiple sharp force injuries, and his manner of death was homicide, an autopsy found.
An officer on the scene said he believed the two had been arguing about television.
Phelps is being held on $1 million bail.
