Despite his claim of innocence thirty four year old Joseph Panting better known as Tencho spent the last eleven months and five days behind bars after police arrested him and charged him with the murder of thirty year old Kirk Ortega. Ortega was killed on September fourth, 2007 in front of Pratt’s Fried Chicken on Hondo Street. He had been shot multiple of times. Because at the time of his murder the victim was wearing red it is believed that the incident may have been gang related.
Today when Joseph Panting appeared again in Magistrate’s Court, this time he left clear of all charges and headed home. 7NEWS was outside the courtroom number one waiting for Joseph Panting. Panting said he was shocked when the police first came for him because he didn’t kill Kirk Ortega; in fact, he doesn’t even know the victim.
Joseph Panting, Freed from Murder Charge
“The police didn’t really do their investigation and thing good because they grabbed me and hold me and tried me for something I didn’t even know about and I was here innocent for a whole year.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
They were trying to say you were at the scene at the time of this killing?
Joseph Panting,
“Yes ma’am.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
And where were you at this time?
Joseph Panting,
“I was in my house just chilling with my kids and they came and wake me up and said they have a charge for me, murder, and they took me. Chester sleep pan me, put gun on my side and all kind of things you check. I said they already had me in custody so I just had to wait until I come out.”
Anita Nembhard,
Mr. Panting you heard what the Chief Magistrate said that the charges were discharged, are you aware that those charges can be brought back against you?
Joseph Panting,
“Well they don’t have anything against me so if they hold me they will waste their time because nobody is saying that I hauled a gun on anyone. I will free, I can go home with my kids and rest and enjoy myself with my kids.”
Panting says while he understands that he can always be rearrested for the same crime there is no need for him to be concerned because he is innocent.
