CALGARY – The second of three people on trial for brutally beating a Calgary man to death in 2012 took the stand in his own defence Tuesday.
Jarod Henry told an 11-person jury he was out drinking with the co-accused the night of May 23, 2012, when John Herrera Garcia was brutally beaten to death on his walk home from the grocery store.
Henry, Garrett Smith, and Chantelle Campbell are all accused of the second-degree murder of 49-year-old Garcia.
Twenty-five-year old Henry claimed he thought Herrera Garcia kicked his friend’s car, so he chased him down.
Henry testified he heard Smith call him a “goof” then said he grabbed the victim and they both fell to the ground. He told the jury he kicked him “in the butt” then ran away. He denied seeing or participating in any severe beating.
Henry claimed it was only when he saw media reports the next day that he realized Herrera Garcia was seriously injured.
Henry’s account of the incident comes a day after Smith testified in his own defence. Smith claimed Henry and Campbell were to blame in the incident, and said he tried to tell them to stop.
Campbell decided not to testify.
All evidence has now been presented, with closing arguments set for Thursday morning.
The judge will give instructions to the jury Friday morning; they will then start deliberating, likely into the weekend.
READ MORE: Man denies participating in brutal beating death of Calgary man
Comments