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Friday, March 29, 2024

Jury hears suspect interview at murder trial

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John Carpenter, left, hears testimony from Eddy County sheriff’s deputies who responded to his home on May 21, 2011. At right is Maurice Moya, a consultant for the defense. Carpenter is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of his friend, Joseph Darras. Brandon Messick – Daily Press
John Carpenter, left, hears testimony from Eddy County sheriff’s deputies who responded to his home on May 21, 2011. At right is Maurice Moya, a consultant for the defense. Carpenter is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of his friend, Joseph Darras.
Brandon Messick – Daily Press

By BRANDON MESSICK

Daily Press Staff Writer

“I just shot my friend,” a hysterical Jess Carpenter said to 911 dispatchers in the early hours of May 21, 2011. “I didn’t mean for the gun to go off… I was just screwing around with Joe… it was an honest mistake… he’s dead… I didn’t mean to shoot him.”

Carpenter’s second-degree murder trial began Wednesday morning after nearly two days spent selecting a jury. The trial began with a playback of Carpenter’s frantic 911 call. In the recording, dispatchers advised Carpenter to sit on his porch with his lights on and await the arrival of Eddy County Sheriff’s Office deputies at his residence on Firehouse Road north of Artesia. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.

 

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