Murder trial underway against man accused of killing victim, transferring his dismembered remains in back of U-Haul

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A trial is underway against a man accused of killing an elderly Northeast Philadelphia masseuse, dismembering his body, and transporting the victim’s remains in a U-Haul truck three years ago.

Taray Herring is facing first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and related charges. In February 2021, prosecutors said he killed Peter Gerold inside the victim’s home on Sanibel Street, then dismembered his body and placed the remains in various locations.

Crime scene officers testified on Monday about what was found at the scenes. They said they discovered the victim’s torso wrapped in black plastic bags and tied with rope and bungee cords in the back of a U-Haul. Next to the torso was another bag full of saws and scissors — those items, stained blood red, were physically shown in court.

Investigators had responded to a 911 call from a neighbor about a man rolling something large in a black trash bag down the driveway into a U-Haul truck. The caller told the jury that at the time, he hadn’t seen his neighbor, Gerold, for days.

The jury also viewed pictures of other dismembered parts found in a nearby dumpster, as well as pictures inside 70-year-old Gerold’s house — bird cages in the living room area, reptiles in their tanks in another bedroom . The victim was a massage therapist who was described as “a loving man of all things living.”

Another woman, Jeannette Pace, who was considered the accomplice, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, conspiracy, and a weapons charge but has not yet been sentenced. She’s expected to testify this week.

The trial is expected to last through the week, with more police officers, detectives and witnesses set to take the stand.