Judge orders Fresno murder suspect to stand trial after preliminary hearing

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A judge has ruled that there is enough evidence for John Gentry to stand trial on a murder charge in the killing of Mark Tarasevic.

Gentry, 74, is charged with killing Tarasevic. The ruling came after testimony during a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.

One witness, Tarasevic's widow, testified about the shooting that occurred on December 23, 2025.

"I'd like to talk about December 23, 2025," Fresno County prosecutor Liz Owne said. "Do you recall that date?"

"Oh yes, very vividly," the widow said.

She testified that there was banging on a shared wall with Gentry.

"What do you mean (by) banging on the walls?" Owen asked.

"Super loud. Nonstop," the widow said. "All the way across my living room, across my bedroom."

She testified that the situation quickly turned into an argument and that a shooting followed about three minutes later.

"What did the defendant do in response to being called a liar?" Owen asked.

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"John said, 'F*** you,'" the widow said, going on to describe the sound of a gunshot.

At times during the hearing, Gentry shook his head, appearing to disagree with the testimony.

The witness testified that her husband was unarmed.

"My husband was never aggressive," she said. "He was always kind. He was even kind to John for multiple years."

Prosecutors did not present photos or surveillance video from the scene. Instead, they relied on the sole witness's testimony.

The defense argued there was not enough evidence. It did not present any of its own.

"There's insufficient evidence for a holding order, notwithstanding the complaining witness' testimony, arguing that it's unreasonable testimony," defense attorney Richard Dunia said.

The judge disagreed.

"There is sufficient cause to believe the defendant is guilty thereof," Fresno County Superior Court Presiding Judge Jeff Hamilton said. "I order that he be held to answer to the same."

Gentry remains in county jail on $1.5 million bail. He is due back in court on July 30.

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