Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
A disgruntled patient of a Bensalem Township chiropractor was charged with the doctor’s violent death.
Joseph O’Boyle, 22, of Bensalem, was charged with criminal homicide, burglary, criminal trespass, and possession of an instrument of crime following a grand jury presentment issued Thursday.
Advertisements
O’Boyle is accused of killing Dr. James Sowa, 64, a Neshaminy High School graduate who grew up in Penndel Borough, in his home chiropractic office at 3161 Hulmeville Road in Bensalem on November 2.
Sowa was found dead in his home office after a 9-1-1 call at 3:40 p.m. on November 2. His last known communication came in a phone call to his wife around 8 a.m., authorities said.
An autopsy showed Sowa suffered serious injuries due to blunt force trauma to his head.
Advertisements
In the grand jury presentment, it is alleged that O’Boyle arrived at the office, which was by appointment only due to COVID-19, and attacked the doctor. The doctor was struck in the back of the head with a blunt object and incapacitated. At that point, Sowa was struck further, causing fatal injuries.
Court papers said that O’Boyle was a patient of Sowa in September 2020, and witnesses said the defendant was upset about treatment for jaw pain.
Advertisements
O’Boyle’s mother testified before the grand jury that the 22-year-old man had trouble holding a job and has been having mental health issues and dealing with depression. He was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and sought treatment, including for his jaw pain that was thought to be related to his mental health diagnosis.
Before the grand jury, O’Boyle’s mother said her son stopped taking his medication in August and became belligerent and attacked his father at one point.
O’Boyle’s father told the grand jury his son’s mental health struggles had “been hell.” He said that after his son saw Sowa, the younger O’Boyle threatened to sue to the doctor for making his jaw pain worse.
Advertisements
The O’Boyles both told the grand jury they had learned of Sowa’s death several days after the murder and grew concerned their son may have been involved in the doctor’s death. O’Boyle had denied involvement, but his parents testified that they were concerned.
The grand jury also heard testimony that O’Boyle may have been using drugs for some time.
Advertisements
Security camera footage reviewed by detectives showed a man walking up to Sowa’s home the day of the murder. Videos and images showed a Nissan Altima that was registered to O’Boyle’s address near the doctor’s office and in the area, court papers stated.
O’Boyle has been held behind bars since the November attack on the detective. At the time, District Judge Daniel Baranoski denied bail due to the fact the man was homicide suspect and was a flight risk who may have been violent.
Advertisements
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
