Binghamton Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

A Binghamton teen is pleading not guilty to murder in connection with the slaying of a Binghamton man on Valentine’s Day.

19 year old Jonathan Garcia was arrested by federal and Florida authorities near Miami last week and arrived back in Broome County Thursday, February 25 for his appearance in Binghamton City Court.

Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski said Garcia shot 28 year old Jamaal Moses several times in the area of Lake Avenue and Merrill Street in what he said was a drug deal gone bad.

After the shooting Garcia, who is of Cuban descent, apparently fled to Florida where he has relatives.  Officials said it was not known if the teen planned to blend into the Cuban-American population in the Miami area or was going to flee to Cuba.

If convicted of murder, Garcia could face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

He’s currently being held in the Broome County Jail without bail.