BREAKING: A Central Fresno man, John Gentry, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his neighbor, Mark Tarasevic, in a case that has rocked the community. Gentry, appearing in court on Monday in a red jumpsuit, faces serious charges following the fatal incident reported last week.
Court documents reveal that police received a call about a gunshot near Clinton Avenue and Bond Street on December 5, 2023. Investigators found Tarasevic, age 74, dead from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Authorities classify the situation as a “neighbor disturbance,” raising questions about the events leading up to the shooting.
Legal experts are closely monitoring the case. Action News Legal Analyst Tony Capozzi stated, “Was it an argument between the two? Did the victim have a gun, and was this self-defense?” These questions linger as police have recovered the murder weapon, adding complexity to the investigation.
As Gentry’s lawyer, Tina Wong, requested a delay in proceedings, the next critical preliminary hearing has been set for January 22, 2024, with another court date on February 5, 2024. The defense has waived the **10-day rule** for the preliminary hearing but not the **60-day rule**, indicating they seek more time for the police reports, especially given the holiday season.
Gentry currently remains in custody at the Fresno County Jail with a bail set at $1.5 million. The investigation is ongoing, and the community is left reeling from the latest murder in a year that has already seen 22 homicides in Fresno.
As this story develops, updates will be provided. For the latest news, follow Gabe Ferris on social media platforms.
