Tooele man charged with beating roommate to death

Tooele police have identified the man who was reportedly beaten to death by his roommate, who has since been charged with murder.

James Stockmoe, 60, was killed early Thursday at the home he shared with James Perales, 55. Perales has been charged in 3rd District Court with domestic violence murder, a first-degree felony; and domestic violence in the presence of a child, a third-degree felony.

According to police, authorities received a 911 call about 2:20 a.m from Stockmoe’s girlfriend, who said she arrived home to find him unconscious and not breathing in their basement apartment on the 100 block of North Third Street, which they shared with Perales. Stockmoe had suffered severe injuries to his head and face, and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

According to police, a child upstairs could hear Stockmoe being assaulted and could hear Perales’ voice during the assault.

While searching the apartment, police found Perales sleeping in another room. The sweatpants and shoes he was wearing appeared to have blood stains on them. According to the charging documents, Perales told police he remembered coming home from a bar, and Stockmoe calling him names and “talking negatively about his mother.” Perales said he “backhanded” Stockmoe, but could recall nothing after that.

Perales was booked into the Tooele County jail, where he is being held without bail.