Man Found Not Guilty in Martinsburg Murder
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: January 17, 2013
MARTINSBURG, WV - After deliberating for more than eight hours Thursday, a verdict was reached in the murder trial against Jonathan Bennett. WHAG was at the court house when the verdict was announced.
Bennett was found not guilty in the murder of Geronimo Garcia-Cruz on March 2011. Court officials say he was found guilty of unlawful assault.
Bennett took the stand Wednesday in his own defense. He admitted he initially lied to police about his whereabouts the night of the crime.
Bennett was charged with shooting a man to death on March 2011 at his girlfriend, Ashley Carpegna's, apartment.
Bennett admitted he shot Geronimo Garcia-Cruz when he saw Carpegna bring three men home.
He says he saw her disappear with one of the men and then heard her yelling.
Bennett's defense attorney says he was protecting Carpegna when the gun went off by accident.
But the prosecutor says it was no accident. The prosecutor told the jury Carpegna owed Bennett money and when he realized the men weren't going to pay her for sexual favors, he shot Cruz.
Bennett was found not guilty in the murder of Geronimo Garcia-Cruz on March 2011. Court officials say he was found guilty of unlawful assault.
Bennett took the stand Wednesday in his own defense. He admitted he initially lied to police about his whereabouts the night of the crime.
Bennett was charged with shooting a man to death on March 2011 at his girlfriend, Ashley Carpegna's, apartment.
Bennett admitted he shot Geronimo Garcia-Cruz when he saw Carpegna bring three men home.
He says he saw her disappear with one of the men and then heard her yelling.
Bennett's defense attorney says he was protecting Carpegna when the gun went off by accident.
But the prosecutor says it was no accident. The prosecutor told the jury Carpegna owed Bennett money and when he realized the men weren't going to pay her for sexual favors, he shot Cruz.
Comments
Ihope this jerk gets the max. Bet he didn't get that gun at a gun shop with a backround check! people like this are what is causing the problem not NRA members if you catch my drift on this subject.
Anonymous A.
January 17, 2013 at 6:26 pm
