PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A former National Guardsman took the stand Friday, accused of killing a Providence man nearly six years ago in what investigators described as a gruesome crime.
Troy Ingram, 27, is on trial in Providence Superior Court for allegedly killing 40-year-old Moshin Muhammad after breaking into his Jewett Street apartment.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, mutilation of human remains, and unlawful breaking and entering.
BACKGROUND: Providence man pleads not guilty in gruesome murder
Ingram waived his right to a jury trial on Thursday, so the case is being heard by a judge. The trial opened with witness testimony.
Muhammad’s coworkers went to check on him early on the morning of July 21, 2019, after he didn’t show up the night before. When they arrived, they found him lying on the kitchen floor and immediately called police. Former Providence Detective Angelo A’vant testified that Muhammad had seemingly been decapitated.
“I saw Mr. Muhammad was laying on the floor of the kitchen … it was a pretty gruesome sight. There was blood everywhere,” A’vant recalled.
MORE | Police: Providence murder victim, suspect didn’t know each other
During the investigation, police reportedly found a shirt at the scene containing both Ingram’s and the victim’s DNA. They also traced a phone registered to Muhammad to an area where Ingram was spotted and fled from officers.
A’vant told the court that Ingram ran through a parking lot, scaled a fence, and disappeared into the woods.
The defense argued that Ingram suffers from mental illness stemming from his time in the National Guard.
The trial is scheduled to resume Wednesday morning. It is unclear whether Ingram will testify in his own defense.
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