A Pennsylvania landlord who informed his neighbors that he beat up his tenant, who later died of his injuries, has been convicted to murder.
Zachary Neiman, 37, pled no guilty to third-degree murder in the killing of Michael Byers, 42, in 2023. On October 27, Neiman, Byers’ landlord, was sentenced to between 8 and 16 years in prison. As part of his plea agreement, he had an involuntary manslaughter charge withdrawn against him.
Before his death, Byers was the renter of a detached apartment on Neiman’s land. On the night of April 29, 2023, the two men were drinking at a firepit on Neiman’s property. According to Northern York County Regional Police, neighbors overheard the two guys having a verbal argument. Shortly after, the neighbors spoke with Neiman, who said, according to court documents acquired by local ABC affiliate WHTM, “I just beat the s— out of Mike.”
Neighbors informed police that after their chat with Neiman, they heard him continue to beat Byers. They told police that this occurred around 10 p.m.
Neiman contacted 911 early the next morning after finding Byers dead outside his home, dressed only in shorts and “covered in mud.” According to court records, first responders discovered Neiman conducting chest compressions on Byers, who was already cold to touch. Neiman informed authorities that he couldn’t remember what happened the night before due to his excessive drinking.
Neiman also informed police that he went to bed at 11:30 p.m.
Byers’ autopsy revealed that he died from blunt-force injuries compounded by ethanol intoxication.
In November 2023, Neiman was charged with involuntary manslaughter and third-degree murder.
