Joan Burke has been charged with first-degree murder after stabbing her disabled husband more than 140 times. Burke was held without bond on Feb. 21.
On Feb. 11, Ricardo Green called authorities after he came home from work and saw his stepfather, Melvin Weller, on the floor in a pool of blood. Weller had a skull fracture caused y a meat cleaver to the right rear area of his head.
Weller’s autopsy revealed that he had more than 140 stab wounds, and officers noticed blood spatters and smears on the walls, kitchen cabinets and counters. A tied-up plastic bag was found on the kitchen countertop that contained Burke’s blood-stained nightgown and cellphone.
Officers found Burke lying in the main bedroom, as she was conscious and alert, but quiet. She also had cuts on the palms of her hands. Investigators said it is common for the offender to have cuts to the palm of the hands when he or she stabs another person.
Burke was then hospitalized and later arrested.
