A Princeton man charged with the fatal shooting of 42-year old Gregory Cain on Mechanic Street in July 2022 was sentenced to 17 years in prison in Caldwell County Circuit Court on Tuesday morning.
Defendant Ashton Ocampo, his defense attorney, Marc Wells, and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Chad Nelson appeared before Judge Jamus Redd, where Nelson asked for the defendant to be sentenced to 17 years in prison on charges of second-degree manslaughter and theft by unlawful taking, a firearm.
click to download audioMary Cain, representing her mother, read her impact statement to court detailing the pain and suffering it has caused her and their family.
click to download audioAdditionally, she expressed that the Commonwealth has made its decision for her family and emphasized that her brother did not deserve to be shot.
click to download audioNelson then elaborated that the case was settled through mediation, with both families present and consulted about the agreement, taking into consideration the facts of the case.
click to download audioJudge Redd commented that this was a difficult case and difficult situation, particularly noting the mother’s testimony. He then issued the sentence of 17 years in prison for Ocampo.
click to download audioThe deadly shooting took place on the evening of July 20, 2022, in the 800 block of Mechanic Street. Princeton Police reportedly discovered Cain on the front porch of a residence with several gunshot wounds. He was taken by ambulance to Caldwell Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Later that night, Ocampo reportedly surrendered to the police and purportedly admitted to shooting Cain. Following his arrest, he has been held at the Caldwell County Jail under a $1 million bond.
