‘You’re just a coward:’ Boyfriend charged in Hazelwood Terrace homicide

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The boyfriend of a woman found dead in a Hazelwood Terrace home has been arrested.

40-year-old Walter Balkum has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after the death of 43-year-old Melikah Bruner. He was arraigned in court Tuesday morning and the case is going to the grand jury.

Olajuwan Mclamore, the victim’s son, said his emotions are everywhere following his mother’s passing. He is encouraging others to maintain a good relationship with their mothers.

“I had a great relationship with my mother, but everyone ain’t like this with their mothers, so fix whatever you all got,” he said. “Fix all that, you never know when the last time you’ll talk to them again truly.”

On August 27, a child inside the home called 911 to report that their mother was being assaulted by the mother’s boyfriend. Officers said they arrived and found Bruner dead.

It was alleged that Balkum struck Bruner repeatedly in the head and upper body, killing her. RPD accused Balkum of leaving the scene before officers arrived. He was found and arrested on September 2 at a home on Galusha Street.

On June 2, Balkum was arrested for felony assault against Bruner. Although he was released from custody, he was put on electronic monitoring and an order of protection was placed for Bruner. However, RPD said a judge ordered for the monitoring to be removed after Balkum’s defense said it hindered him from getting a job.

News 8 was told there is a conflict of interest with the Public Defender’s Office and a new attorney will be assigned to him.

Prior to this arrest, police said Balkum had four felony convictions — two of them were violent — and seven misdemeanor convictions.

“You’re just a coward, truly a coward,” Mclamore said, adding, “There’s definitely a lot of things I’d rather do than say to him.”

Balkum is due back in court on September 6 at 2 p.m. He will get a new attorney the day before that.

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