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CZ 52

UPDATE
Syracuse man said he killed in self-defense; prosecutor says bullet wound proves that’s a lie

By Anne Hayes
Syracuse, N.Y. ? A Syracuse man took the stand in his own murder trial to tell a jury he shot and killed a man in broad daylight in self-defense.

During closing arguments Friday, prosecutor Anthony Copani said the first of six bullet wounds suffered by the victim proved the story was a lie.

Josue Pizarro, 28, fatally shot Jesus Carmona, 28, outside 221 Sabine Street just after noon on April 13, 2024. He is on trial for second-degree murder and two counts of possession of a weapon.

Pizarro testified for almost two hours on Thursday. He told the jury that Carmona was pulling a gun just feet away from him when Pizarro shot him first.

The .45 caliber bullet was found in Carmona’s left temple.

Copani said that shows Carmona wasn’t even looking at Pizarro when he was shot.

“Mr. Pizarro sucker-shoots him,” Copani said. “He shoots him in the side of the head. That is not a face-to-face standoff where Mr. Pizarro just won his life over Mr. Carmona.”

In his testimony, Pizarro insisted that he was scared for his life and Carmona was close to aiming at his head when he finally shot.

Copani said the evidence doesn’t support that. He said Pizarro can’t deny he was the one who shot Carmona so he has to say he had no choice.

Pizarro’s attorney, Nicholas DeMartino, argued that other witnesses and a grainy video corroborate Pizarro’s testimony that Carmona approached him and confronted him.

Carmona did have a gun on him that day. He had also previously threatened Pizarro’s life after he heard Pizarro had punched a close friend of his.

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More details on the “community gun” shooting.

Category: Feel Good Stories