Inset: William Bordsen (Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The apartments at 4600 Coronado Drive in Charlotte, N.C., where William Bordsen is accused of fatally attacking his roommate over a cigarette dispute (Queen City News).
A man from North Carolina is alleged to have killed his intoxicated roommate by beating him with a box fan and stomping on his face and stomach. The incident, reportedly recorded in “derogatory” phone videos and photos, began when the victim asked for cigarettes, according to police.
William Bordsen, 40, faces a charge of first-degree murder for the alleged killing of 65-year-old Robert Murphy in their Charlotte apartment. Officers who arrived at the 4600 block of Coronado Drive at approximately 10:55 a.m. on Monday discovered Murphy deceased on the floor, as stated in Bordsen’s arrest affidavit. Murphy’s injuries included significant facial swelling, along with cuts on his face, arms, and legs.
“There were multiple large bruises all over his body,” the affidavit says.
Bordsen was present at the apartment when police arrived and willingly accompanied them to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police headquarters for questioning, as noted in the affidavit.
The affidavit details Bordsen’s account to police, stating that around 4 a.m., the inebriated victim entered Bordsen’s room asking for cigarettes. Upon Bordsen’s refusal, Murphy reportedly became angry, leading to a physical confrontation in which Bordsen allegedly punched the victim multiple times in the head and face.
During the assault on Murphy, Bordsen is accused of striking him repeatedly in the head with a box fan, as per police. When Murphy fell and attempted to stand, Bordsen allegedly began kicking him in the face and stomach several times, the affidavit reports.
“When questioned about the last assault with his legs to the victim’s body, Mr. Bordsen admittedly stated that they weren’t needed and ultimately regretted those additional kicks,” the affidavit says. “Additionally, a footprint was seen on the victim’s forearm.”
Bordsen allegedly confessed to being “sober” during the fight and told cops Murphy was intoxicated. Detectives — with Bordsen’s consent — say they searched through Bordsen’s cellphone and found “multiple photos and videos” that he captured, his affidavit says. They allegedly showed “the bloody victim, alive, lying on the floor in the same location where his body was later found,” according to police.
“Bordsen can be heard speaking in the videos to the victim in a derogatory manner,” the affidavit says. “He did not call 911 until 10:55 a.m., approximately six hours after the photos and videos were taken.”
Bordsen was being held Wednesday on $400,000 bond in the Mecklenburg County jail.
