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87-Year-Old Frederick Man Charged After Roommate Found Dead

A church confession prompted police to locate a body, resulting in murder charges and a requested competency review.

Overview

  • Police say the alleged shooting occurred on Sunday, Sept. 20, and left 63-year-old Michael Roy Bushnell dead in the Franklin Street home he shared with 87-year-old Irwin Dickstein.
  • Charging documents say Dickstein went to Frederick Christian Fellowship after the incident and confessed to a pastor, who reported the statement to deputies.
  • A man who drove Dickstein to the church told investigators the suspect admitted to killing his roommate and had placed a gray suitcase in the vehicle.
  • Officers recovered a handgun from the suitcase, Dickstein was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree murder, and he is being held without bail while a public defender has requested a competency evaluation.
  • Police say there is no ongoing threat to the community, neighbors reported an earlier argument over an electrical repair between the men, and investigators continue to probe the case.