Trial date set for Modesto tattoo shop owner accused of killing man behind business
A Modesto tattoo shop owner will go to trial Oct. 19 on a charge of murdering a man in an alley behind the business last year.
Jeremy Don Fennell, 38, is accused of fatally shooting Lawrence Gregory Walker, 25 at the time, behind Sin Cal Industries on McHenry Avenue.
Judge Scott Steffens scheduled the trial during a brief hearing Friday in Stanislaus Superior Court. Fennell remains in county jail on $3 million bail.
The shooting happened at about noon on March 15, 2019, on the west side of McHenry just south of Woodrow Avenue.
Attorney Kirk McAllister defending Fennell
The prosecution alleges that Fennell shot Walker out of anger about theft and other problems brought by homeless people. Defense attorney Kirk McAllister said previously that Walker had a history of violent crimes and confronted his client in the alley.
The defendant, who had a permit to carry a concealed gun, called 911 to report the shooting, Modesto police said. He was arrested that day, then released a few days later because prosecutors said they needed to investigate further.
Fennell was rearrested five months later. The court filings included a detective’s statement that the defendant “had a malicious predisposition at the time he confronted and ultimately shot and killed Lawrence Walker with a firearm.”
The investigation included witness statements, security camera video, Instagram posts and police body cam videos.
Case delayed since December
Steffens conducted a December 2019 preliminary hearing that resulted in Fennell being ordered to trial on the murder charge. Since then, he has had several arraignment dates postponed.
Fennell finally was arraigned Friday. He appeared in court in a striped jail uniform and with his hands shackled. McAllister entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf via video.
The defense attorney said he expects the trial to last about a month, half of it for jury selection. The parties will hold an Oct. 7 pretrial hearing that will include discussion of the jury questionnaire.
Jeff Laugero, chief deputy district attorney, is prosecuting the case.
This story was originally published August 29, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
