Home Notice Box Top Stories Jenkins found guilty of murder

Jenkins found guilty of murder

0

XENIA — A Greene County jury found Fairborn resident Joseph Jenkins, 45, guilty of murder Wednesday. Jenkins’ murder charge is punishable by a 15-years-to-life sentence.

He will be sentenced by Greene County Common Pleas Judge Stephen Wolaver March 15.

The jury began deliberating just after 11 a.m. Wednesday and delivered its verdict just after 2 p.m.

Defensive attorney Christoper Beck said he plans to file a notice of appeal after sentencing takes place. Assistant prosecutor Cheri Stout said she respects the jury’s decision. Crystal Rodriguez, who was engaged to Winston, was speechless after the verdict but said she felt relieved.

The charge came following the death of Andre Winston, 38, of Beavercreek, who was fatally stabbed July 22 near the intersection of Williams Street and Wallace Drive in Fairborn.

Prosecutors in the case argued that Winston died because Jenkins was embarrassed after a previous altercation, while Jenkins’ defense attorney argued that the stabbing was done in self defense.

Court testimonies indicated that after a fight broke out earlier in the night between two other individuals, Jenkins made threats to a female, Courtney Howard, leading Winston to defend her. Winston and Jenkins traded punches, and Jenkins was eventually knocked to the ground.

Witnesses said Jenkins retreated to the inside of a nearby residence but eventually came back outside.

Testimonies varied on what took place at this point, as some witnesses indicated that Jenkins approached Winston with his arm extended as if he wanted to shake hands and make up. Upon the two making friendlier contact, they said Jenkins stabbed Winston.

Jenkins said in his testimony that after he went back outside, Winston approached him in an aggressive manner, which is when he told Winston that he didn’t want problems and that he had a knife. Jenkins said he carried the knife regularly to fix radios and complete odd jobs.

According to a recording of a jail phone call played in court this week, Jenkins said he had the knife that night “just in case.” Jenkins said the two men started to swing, and he took a jab at Winston and found the knife handle still in his hand.

Winston later died en route to Miami Valley Hopsital.

Jenkins
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/03/web1_MUGSHOTS_34065156-1-1-1.jpgJenkins

Winston
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/03/web1_andre-1.jpgWinston

Whitney Vickers | Greene County News Jenkins looked ahead during closing statements Wednesday.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/03/web1_DSC_0458.jpgWhitney Vickers | Greene County News Jenkins looked ahead during closing statements Wednesday.

Jenkins just after the verdict was delivered.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/03/web1_DSC_0463.jpgJenkins just after the verdict was delivered.

Assistant Prosecutors Nicole Burke and Cheri Stout, along with a Fairborn Police Department detective, Attorney Christopher Beck and Joseph Jenkins.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/03/web1_DSC_0462.jpgAssistant Prosecutors Nicole Burke and Cheri Stout, along with a Fairborn Police Department detective, Attorney Christopher Beck and Joseph Jenkins.

By Whitney Vickers

[email protected]

Whitney Vickers can be reached by calling her directly at 937-502-4532 or on Twitter, @wnvickers. For more content online, visit our website or like our Facebook page.