Community Corner

Hearing Continued for Halloween Matricide Suspect

Warren Pennick, 54, was set to have his day in court on Thursday morning, but his hearing has been continued to a later date

Warren H. Pennick, police said, walked into the lobby of Lansdale Police Department at 10:12 a.m. Oct. 31, picked up the intercom phone and had the following conversation with dispatcher Jason Platt:

Dispatcher: Yes, how can I help you?

Pennick: I just killed my mother.

Find out what's happening in Montgomeryville-Lansdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

D: Say again.

P: I just killed my mother

Find out what's happening in Montgomeryville-Lansdalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

D: What? Where? Where at?

P: 635 Salford Avenue

The Lansdale man accused of matricide on Halloween morning had his preliminary hearing continued to a later date Thursday.

Pennick, 54, was arrested and charged with first- and third-degree murder in the stabbing death of his mother, Lorraine Pennick, 79.

Montgomery County Court records do not show that Pennick has retained an attorney or been assigned a public defender.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kevin Steele, Jordan Friter and Teresa Kibelstis.

According to the affidavit, Lansdale Officer James Owens and Detective Sgt. Mike Trail immediately spoke with Pennick in the lobby of the station.

Pennick told both officers that he stabbed his mother and pushed her down the basement steps, according to the complaint.

Owens responded to the home to check on any occupants of the home.

He, along with Officers Tim Cornelius and David Gori, entered 635 Salford Avenue through an unlocked back door.

Owens found Lorriane Pennick at the bottom of the basement stairs, lying in a pool of blood, according to the complaint.

Lorriane had cuts on her body and a large knife resting on her torso, police said.

By 10:50 a.m., Trail, along with Montgomery County Detective Lt. James McGowan, were interviewing Pennick.

At the time, Pennick had blood spots on his wristwatch band and his right sneaker, police said. Pennick's hands had fresh abrasions, police said.

Meanwhile, at 635 Salford Avenue, Montgomery County Detective Bureau Forensic Services Detective David Schanes examined Lorraine Pennick's body on the floor of the basement.

Pennick had multiple stab wounds to her torso and wrists, and a slash wound to her throat, police said.

A 7-inch knife lay on her torso.

In a nearby sink, blood evidence was found on the hot water faucet, police said.

On the floor next to the sink — a bloody paper towel, police said.

Schanes moved his search of the crime scene upstairs.

There, on the floor of Pennick's bedroom, were khaki pants and a gray sweater stained with dried blood, police said.


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