Murder trial wraps for man accused of killing 70-year-old, dismembering his body

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The murder trial has wrapped against the man accused of killing a 70-year-old Northeast Philadelphia man and dismembering his body.

Taray Herring, accused of killing Peter Gerold, whose torso was found wrapped in bags in the back of a U-Haul in February 2021 during a traffic stop, faces 1st-degree murder and life in prison.

Prosecutors say Gerold hired Herring to do some yard work and, instead, Herring plotted to kill and rob Gerold and sell his exotic birds and reptiles , and everything inside his house on Sanibel Street.

Jeanette Pace, considered his co-conspirator, testified against Herring Wednesday and told the jury she saw Gerold strangled to death and his nose cut open before the body was gone. She’s already pleaded guilty to 3rd-degree murder and related offenses.

Gerold’s head, arms and feet were never found, but Herring told detectives in a video he put those remains in dumpsters.

The defense has argued Herring admitted to dismembering the body, but it was Pace’s ex-boyfriend Rafique McNichols who killed Gerold. McNichols has pleaded guilty to theft and burglary charges.

The jury will continue deliberations Thursday.