Bail Denied for Lansdale Man Accused of Murdering Coworker

A Montgomery County judge has denied bail for a Lansdale man accused of murdering his coworker Wednesday at a Franconia Township meat packing plant.

Court documents show that Peter Jok Atem, 32, of Lansdale will be confined without bail at Montgomery County prison on charges he fatally stabbed his coworker at the MOPAC Rendering Plant on Souder Road. The District Attorney said earlier Thursday that Atem was still hospitalized receiving treatment for self-inflicted wounds incurred after the incident.

Authorities said Atem stabbed Danny Vazquez, 25, in retaliation for a prank earlier this week.

On Tuesday, authorities said, Vazquez tried to pull a chair out from under Atem, who said he was “going to get you for that,” witnesses told authorities.

The next day, Atem allegedly physically attacked Vazquez, pinning him to the floor. Vazquez was able to get away but a short time later, Atem again approached him, and this time the confrontation was fatal, police said.

A witness told police he heard screaming and saw the defendant stabbing Vazquez inside the meat packing plant. The witness tried to get help for Vazquez but he collapsed and became unresponsive, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office.

Vazquez was transported by Harleysville Ambulance to Lansdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police later located Atem hiding in a shed a short distance from the scene of the crime. He had self-inflicted stab wounds and was rushed to Paoli Memorial Hospital, the District Attorney’s office said.

Atem is charged with first-degree murder.