A 56-year-old "monster" and career criminal who killed his own father three decades ago was charged Friday in the brutal rape and murder of a young Philadelphia woman.

James Harris allegedly attacked 27-year-old Jasmine Wright from behind in her Philadelphia apartment on July 15 while she had been speaking to her mother on the phone, the Philadelphia Daily News reported.

Wright's mother could hear parts of the attack as it took place, Philadelphia Police Capt. James Clark told the newspaper. Harris is accused of sexually assaulting, beating and strangling Wright.

Jasmine Wright had recently received a graduate degree from Drexel University.

Harris had previously worked as a maintenance worker in Wright's building and still had a key to her apartment, authorities say. He allowed himself into the home approximately 30 minutes before she arrived, Clark told the Philadelphia Daily News.

Wright's body was found the day after the attack. She had recently earned a graduate degree in environmental and occupational health from Drexel University.

Harris was taken into custody on July 19 and initially charged with robbery and criminal trespass.

A photo of Drexel's graduation from Jasmine Wright's Facebook page.

Even though Harris allegedly attempted to use bleach to remove evidence, Philadelphia cops were able to recover his DNA from the scene, according to the newspaper.

Clark told the Philadelphia Daily News that Harris was a "monster" who had previously been arrested 31 times.

Harris was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the 1982 murder of his father, the newspaper reported. His father, James Washington, "suffered a severe beating before being shot twice in the head," according to court documents obtained by the Philadelphia Daily News.

Jasmine Wright's body is removed from her apartment earlier this month.

James Washington had allegedly been abusive to other family members, the newspaper reported.

Harris had left a comment on Wright's Facebook page in March, according to the newspaper, with a picture of roses: "All in. For you."

"Something just seemed off with him," a woman who lived below Wright told the Philadelphia Daily News.