Crime & Safety

Report: Gaithersburg Man Accused of Hatchet Killing Appears in Court

Washington Post: Claude A. Allen III tried to cover up the crime, charging documents say.

A Gaithersburg man accused of using a hatchet to kill his 25-year-old friend tried to cover up the crime and gave police at least three versions of what happened, according to charging documents, The Washington Post reported.

Claude A. Allen III, who is charged with first-degree murder, called Montgomery County police early Friday to report that he killed an intruder who tried to break into his family's home.

Officers responding to the home found the garage covered in blood, according to the report. Allen told officers the body could be found in a wooded area behind the house.

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Montgomery County police identified the victim as Michael Phillip Harvey, of an unconfirmed address.

Allen, 20, was denied bond by District Court Judge Patricia Mitchell, according to the report.

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Allen's attorney, Richard Finci, told The Washington Post his office will try to “find out exactly” what happened.

Read the full story from The Washington Post.


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