02-05-2025
Detective: Homicide suspect Justice Flenory led 'charge' in fatal stabbing
May 2—WILKES-BARRE — An "abundance" of video footage was gathered during the homicide investigation of Scott Edward Knox, who was fatally stabbed in an alley behind the Mofon Lounge at South River and Academy streets in May 2024, Wilkes-Barre police Detective James Conmy testified Friday.
Conmy provided commentary as First Assistant District Attorney Anthony Ross played footage of the stabbing during the preliminary hearing for Justice Supreme Flenory, 24, before District Judge Rick Cronauer held at the Luzerne County Courthouse on Friday.
After nearly one hour of testimony by Conmy and video footage played, Cronauer determined Ross established a case against Flenory, sending charges of criminal homicide, robbery and criminal conspiracy to commit robbery to the Court of Common Pleas.
Flenory is the fourth and last person to have a preliminary hearing as co-defendants Fernando Cupeles Bracero, 35, Jaime B. Knights, 64, and Jary Javier Fortuna, 32, are already facing criminal homicide and conspiracy charges in county court for their alleged roles in Knox's death.
Janelle Oshman, a field investigator for the Luzerne County Coroner's Office, briefly testified Knox suffered three stab wounds and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Knox was found on a rear porch of a residence in the 300 block of S. River St. and was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, where he died shortly after arrival.
Video footage showed Flenory driving Knox's truck with Knox in the passenger seat arriving in the alley behind the lounge just before 3:30 a.m. on May 7, 2024. Minutes later, a Mercedes arrives in the parking lot with Bracero, Knights and Fortuna approaching Flenory and Knox.
As explained by Conmy while footage was played in court, the detective testified Flenory, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt,, Bracero, Knights and Fortuna attacked and stabbed Knox. Knox managed to break free and was chased by the four men with Flenory being the first to run after Knox.
"Who is leading the charge?" Ross asked, with Conmy replying, "Mr. Flenory."
Flenory's attorney, Sidney D. May, objected to Conmy's identification of Flenory solely based on video footage as no other witnesses testified Flenory was at the scene.
Ross played recorded jailhouse phone calls that allegedly involved Flenory admitting to being in the alley because Knox owed money for a drug sale that took place hours before Knox was fatally stabbed.
"What you have here is a lot of hearsay testimony," May argued. "(Conmy) claims Flenory was wearing a red hoody. I don't know how he could identify Mr. Flenory. If it was such a strong case against Mr. Flenory, they would have a witness here to say he was wearing a red hoody."
Ross said it was Flenory who drove Knox to the alley in a pre-planned "ambush" involving Bracero, Knights and Fortuna.
"Scott was stabbed not once, not twice but three times and that shows a specific intent to kill by the defendant as a principle (participant) and as an accomplice," Ross argued.
