The case of a 20-year-old Princeton man charged in the fatal shooting of another local resident last month has been forwarded to the grand jury following a preliminary hearing in Caldwell County District Court Monday morning.
Hector Miguel Pena faces a murder charge in connection with the death of 34-year-old Jerrod Cooper of Princeton, which police reported occurred in the 300 block of Beverly Lane on Thursday, October 23.
During Monday’s hearing, only members of the media were allowed in the courtroom, following a reported incident between Cooper’s and Pena’s family members at last week’s arraignment.
Pena appeared via Zoom from the Caldwell County Jail, while his defense attorney, Ramon McGee, of Jefferson County, and Caldwell County Attorney Roy Massey IV, appeared before Judge Matthew Schalk.
Princeton Police Detective Brent Fox testified about the events that led up to the shooting, which he said occurred around 2:40 in the morning on October 23, and resulted in Pena being charged.
click to download audioAccording to Fox, Cooper sustained two gunshot wounds, one to his pelvic area and another to his head. He said Cooper was treated by medical personnel at the scene, then airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where he passed away at approximately 10:15 that morning.
During cross-examination, McGee questioned whether Fox’s account of the shooting was based on witness statements or surveillance footage. Fox replied that it involved both sources. He also testified that Pena and another man were walking along the street when Cooper pulled up in a vehicle and stopped, got out, and then took a couple of steps toward Pena, who then began firing.
click to download audioFox also testified that there were no firearms or ammunition found in Cooper’s vehicle when it was searched by police.
He also explained that Pena was not arrested at the scene because he was not present when police arrived; however, he later surrendered to authorities, accompanied by an attorney.
After hearing the testimony, Judge Schalk sent the case to the grand jury.
click to download audioMcGee asked Judge Schalk for a bond reduction, which he denied.
Pena remains lodged in the Caldwell County Jail on a $1 million bond.
