NEWS

Man pleads not guilty in Mark's Texas Hots shooting

Neeti Upadhye
Staff writer

A 24-year-old man accused of fatally shooting Jamar Paige outside Mark's Texas Hots last month pleaded not guilty to felony charges Tuesday in Rochester City Court.

Jesmond Hart of Rochester was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, said Assistant District Attorney Tim Prosperi, who is prosecuting the case. If convicted of the charges, Hart could face a sentence of up to 25 years to life.

Paige, 23, of Irondequoit was shot four times in the upper torso around 3 a.m. on Sept. 28 during an argument in the parking lot of Mark's Texas Hots' Lake Avenue location, according to Rochester police. Paige was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Paige was a student at Monroe Community College, a semi-professional football player with the Monroe County Sting and a father of a three-month-old baby boy.

"I'm deeply wounded about the whole situation," said JoAnn Paige about her slain son. "I'm sick to my stomach right now."

Hart is being held at Monroe County Jail without bail. He is scheduled to return to City Court on Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.

NUPADHYE@Gannett.com

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