A 50-year-old Bend man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his roommate in southeast Bend Thursday.

Robert Carter Lawrence is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon: a knife.

Matthew Kenneth Hallberg, 57, was found dead in the back yard of the home on Southeast Raintree Drive when Bend Police responded to a report of a deceased person at 8:36 p.m. Thursday, according to a release from Bend Police Department.

A nearby neighbor reportedly heard Lawrence calling for help in the backyard of the residence of Hallberg and Lawrence.

The neighbor reported they heard Hallberg say Lawrence was attempting to kill him. The neighbor and another roommate arrived and Lawrence emerged from the yard admitting that he killed Hallberg, according to the State of Oregon.

When law enforcement arrived, they found Hallberg dead with numerous stab wounds.

Lawrence was contacted at the home and was arrested. Police described the men as roommates and acquaintances.

The Oregon State Crime Lab assisted in the investigation. An autopsy will be performed on Hallberg.

Court records accuse Lawrence of assaulting Hallberg with a knife and causing his death.

Lawrence has previous convictions of burglary in the first degree and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill in 1995 out of North Carolina.

In the preliminary court appearance Lawrence received no bail hold and was scheduled to be arraigned on his indictment for August 9 at 1:30 p.m..