BRONX MAN IS CONVICTED FOR MANSLAUGHTER IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A MAN BREAKING INTO HIS CAR

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 54 year-old Bronx man has been convicted of manslaughter in the shooting death of a Bronx man, whom the defendant caught breaking into his car.

After three hours of deliberation, a jury found Victor Vicenty, of 1715 Lacombe Avenue, guilty of 1 count of Manslaughter in the 2nd degree in the death of Kevin Bethea, 43. Vicenty is facing a maximum term of up to 15 years imprisonment when he appears before State Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus, on Friday, July 19, 2002 in Part T13.

The fatal shooting occurred during the early morning hours of May 7, 2001, when Vicenty observed Bethea rummaging through his car. Vicenty came downstairs and confronted Bethea, firing a .22 caliber rifle, six times, striking the victim five times.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Barbara Chavez of the Major Case / Housing Task Force.