DURHAM -- A stab wound to the neck killed Ronald Fetherson, but the killer wasn't finished with him.
After stabbing the 53-year-old Durham man five times and striking his face and head, someone cut off his penis.
It was found in another part of his home, according to an autopsy released Tuesday, and it was brought to the state Medical Examiner's Office the day after his first autopsy. One of his earlobes was cut off as well.
Fetherson was found dead in his McDougald Terrace apartment Aug. 30. Investigators have made no arrests, but detectives say such mutilation is often done by someone close to the victim.
Fetherson's killing was one of three homicides during the third quarter of 2009. There have been 17 homicides in Durham through the end of September - one more than at the same time last year - according to numbers released at the City Council meeting Monday.
Staff writer Stanley B. Chambers
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Suspended Durham District Attorney Tracey Cline says she wants to delay an inquiry set to begin on Monday that will determine whether she should be permanently removed from her elected office. But she had not filed paperwork by Friday afternoon that would cause a judge to consider her request. Keep up with the latest stories with our free local news e-mail newsletters, delivered straight to your inbox!
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