A Green Township man accused of strangling his grandfather to death with a belt had his bond set at $2 million in court May 16.
Elijah Ray McCulloch, 22, is charged with aggravated murder in the death of his grandfather, 69-year-old Alexander Metcalf, court documents state. He is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center.
On May 15, a relative had gone to check on McCulloch and Metcalf on May 15 and found Metcalf dead in the home on the 6200 block of Sharlene Drive, investigators reported. The relative said she was checking on McCulloch because his dad had recently died.
Investigators said McCulloch was not at the home, but his cellphone had been left behind.
Green Township police stated Cheviot police used police dogs to locate McCulloch. He was found on the 6200 block of Werk Road.
In an interview after his arrest, McCulloch admitted to a police that he had strangled his Metcalf, court documents state.
McCulloch had a hearing before Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Gwen Bender on May 16.
McCulloch’s lawyer, Craig Teepen, said in court that his client has no prior criminal history. Teepen said he does struggle with mental illness and has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Bender ordered a $2 million bond. Bender’s next hearing was scheduled for May 26, but a grand jury could indict him before that time.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 22-year-old strangled grandfather to death with a belt, police say
Reporting by Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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