New Hampshire: Landlord Richard Moulton Charged With Stabbing Tenant Over Rent

ALBANY, N.H. -- An Albany landlord has been accused of stabbing his tenant in the head and back over a rent dispute.

Richard Moulton, 60, was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder and witness tampering. Police said he stabbed tenant Ronald Routhier, 51, early Monday evening.

"There were injuries to the head and back," said Carroll County Attoey Thomas Dewhurst. "The victim was stabbed several times."

Later that night, police arrested Moulton. According to court paperwork, Moulton lured his tenant to Trailside Drive by asking him for help. But when Routhier tued to walk into his camper, Moulton allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed and punched Routhier.

"(Routhier) was trying to defend himself from the attack," said Carroll County Sheriff Christopher Conley. "He was in a compromised location in a compromised position, and he was doing the best he could to fight it off."

Investigators said Moulton accused Routhier of not paying his rent for more than a year. Police said Moulton told Routhier it was his fault he was losing his property to the bank.

Routhier called 911 from his home. Police said they were able to follow drops of blood from Moulton's camper to Routhier's cabin.

Moulton was arraigned on Tuesday and has a probable cause hearing scheduled for Feb. 14.