Queens homeowner charged with manslaughter after allegedly beating robbery suspect to death

NEW YORK (WPIX) -- A Queens man has been arrested after allegedly beating a would-be intruder to death with a bat.

Police say it started with a knock on the door around 2:30 a.m. on July 30. According to investigators, a man, who was wanted by police, tried to force his way into a home on Williamson Avenue in St. Albans, Queens.

Joel Paul, 27, and his younger brother managed to force the would-be intruder back outside, but that's when things took a turn for the worse. Police say Paul and his younger brother beat Shamel Shavuo repeatedly with a baseball bat, and stabbed him. He later died.

According to detectives, the brothers were initially questioned and released, but earlier this week a grand jury indicted Paul, saying there was intent to cause serious physical injury. Paul is now being charged with 1st degree manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon.