A gay man was arrested last week for the murder of a Roxborough man who had once opened his house to him.
On Sept. 30, police found Ronald Fischman lying unresponsive on the floor of his home on the 200 block of Ellena Street. He had been stabbed multiple times in the neck, shoulder and leg. After being transported to Einstein Hospital, Fischman, 54, was pronounced dead shortly after midnight Oct. 1.
Police later arrested Jonathan Williams, aka William James. James, 33, was most recently registered as living on the 300 block of Upsal Street but, according to police, is most likely homeless.
James has been charged with murder, burglary, criminal trespass and related offenses.
Police responded to Fischman’s house for a report of a breaking-and-entering. While police were investigating the scene, additional witnesses described a man they saw fleeing the victim’s home. Police stopped James and noticed a laceration on his right hand. After being treated and released from Einstein Hospital, he was transported to the homicide unit for questioning and later charged.
Investigators believe Fischman had opened up his home to both James and James’ boyfriend, both of whom they say were homeless. It is unclear how Fischman knew James and his boyfriend.
The couple lived with Fischman in his home until Fischman, who believed James was stealing from him, asked James to move out, but allowed his boyfriend to stay.
On the day of the incident, police say, James broke into the house and an argument ensued with Fischman over the alleged theft of Fischman’s belongings, leading to the stabbing.
James will face a preliminary hearing Oct. 22.
Fischman was a cantor at Mishkan Shalom synagogue in Roxborough and a former teacher who most recently worked as an editor at a publishing company.