An arrest has been made in the case of a Korean War veteran found stabbed to death inside his Raleigh, North Carolina home almost a year ago.
Benjamin Franklin Merritt was found dead on June 13, 2019 according to the News & Observer. Within weeks of the discovery of Merrit's body, police arrested Michael Nicholson, 54, of Maryland after he allegedly pawned a bracelet that belonged to the victim.
Nicholson was originally charged with obtaining property by false pretenses. When he was arrested, he was found carrying a backpack with a knife inside, according to the newspaper. Police upped the charges to murder on Friday.
When Merritt’s body was discovered, he had wounds to his chest, neck, and back. There were no signs of forced entry into his home. At the time of his initial arrest last year, police said Nicholson was the last known person to have been with Merritt two days before his death.
According to his obituary, Merritt served in Korea and earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint Augustine's College and a master’s degree from North Carolina Central. He worked in the field of education and mentored at-risk youth.
Nicholson is being held without bail in Wake County Detention Center.
Frederick Clinton didn't fight in just one war. He fought in three.
Veteran, at nearly 100, recalls supplying troops during WWII and Korea