UPDATE: A Central Fresno man, John Gentry, has just pleaded not guilty to the murder of his neighbor, Mark Tarasevic, in a case that marks the city’s 22nd murder this year. Gentry, appearing in court in a red jumpsuit, denied all allegations against him during his arraignment on Monday.
The incident occurred last week when police responded to a report of gunfire near Clinton Avenue and Bond Street. Authorities discovered that Tarasevic, aged 74, succumbed to a single gunshot wound to the upper body, leading investigators to label the situation a “neighbor disturbance.”
Legal experts are questioning key details surrounding the case. Action News Legal Analyst Tony Capozzi raised critical inquiries regarding the events leading to the shooting, emphasizing, “Was it an argument between the two? Did the victim have a gun? Was this self-defense?” As the investigation unfolds, police have confirmed they recovered the murder weapon.
Capozzi further highlighted the importance of forensic evidence, asking whether police conducted a gunshot residue test on Gentry, which could prove pivotal in the case. He stated, “Did they check his hands? Can we show that that gun was used in this particular incident?”
During the court proceedings, Gentry’s defense requested a delay for the preliminary hearing, which is now set for January 22, with a follow-up on February 5. Judge Robert Mangano noted that Gentry waived the 10-day limit for the preliminary hearing but not the 60-day limit, suggesting a strategic decision by the defense to allow for additional investigation time.
Gentry remains in custody at the Fresno County Jail with bail set at $1.5 million. As the community grapples with this tragic incident, the ongoing investigation is of paramount concern to all parties involved.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds. For the latest news, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
