Plan was to ‘scare’ Knox after confused drug rip, Knights testifies in homicide trial

WILKES-BARRE — Homicide victim Scott Edward Knox was doing a favor for Charles “Chuckie” Dennis by driving him to meet Jose Rosario to buy crack cocaine, testified Knox’s girlfriend, Carrie Hiemenz, on Wednesday.

Only Dennis had intentions to rip off Rosario, Hiemenz said, which resulted in Knox’s death, allegedly by Fernando Cupeles Bracero, 37, also known as “Chuckie,” during a failed plan to only scare the 33-year-old man.

Hiemenz and co-defendant Jaime Knights, 65, gave dramatic and explosive testimony on the second day of Bracero’s Luzerne County jury trial on charges of criminal homicide, robbery, and criminal attempt to commit robbery before Court of Common Pleas Judge David W. Lupas.

First Assistant District Attorney Anthony Ross and Assistant District Attorney Julian Truskowski allege Bracero stabbed Knox three times during a beat-down in an unnamed alley behind the Mofon Lounge on Academy Street, Wilkes-Barre, on May 7, 2024.

Knights, who was involved during the Dennis drug rip and Knox’s stabbing, previously pleaded no contest to third-degree murder for his alleged role.

Hiemenz testified she purchased crack cocaine from Rosario in the area of Academy Street and Carey Avenue on May 6, 2024. After the purchase, Hiemenz said Dennis contacted Knox and inquired about buying crack cocaine, and a second deal with Rosario was set up.

As Knox drove his Ford 150 pickup truck with Hiemenz in the front passenger seat and Dennis in the rear seat of the extended cab, they parked and waited near 155 W. River St., where Knights resided.

Knights showed up in his Mercedes with Rosario, who approached the passenger side of Knox’s truck to sell the crack cocaine.

Hiemenz said Rosario offered two bags of crack cocaine, and she took one bag. She said Dennis grabbed the other bag and said, “I’m not buying this s**t,’ and gave a fake bag of crack to Knox to give to Rosario.

“Scott did this as a favor for this kid (Dennis),” Hiemenz testified.

At one point during Hiemenz’s testimony, she asked to remove two large tripod stands that held the mugshots of all the suspects.

Hiemenz said Rosario realized a drug rip, a switcheroo, had taken place and began beating Dennis in the back seat of the truck. At the same time, Knights got out of his Mercedes and learned a “drug rip” had taken place, and joined in on beating Dennis. Knights removed a wallet from Dennis’ left front pocket that had no cash but an FBI badge, which turned out to be fake.

When the beating of Dennis stopped, other men, identified as Justice Flenory, 25, Jary Javier Fortuna, 33, Bradly Perkowski, and another man, had arrived, and learned of the drug rip and switcheroo.

Ironically, Hiemenz said as they were about to drive away, a Wilkes-Barre City police cruiser had driven past them on West River Street.

Knights testified they all believed at the time that Knox was involved in the drug rip and switcheroo, but Hiemenz said that she and Knox did not know Dennis’ intentions of ripping off Rosario.

Hiemenz said they returned to their apartment on Scott Street, Wilkes-Barre, where, in the early hours of May 7, 2024, Knox was taken from the apartment by Flenory and another man, with Flenory driving Knox’s Ford truck.

“Scott didn’t leave; they took Scott, he was taken,” Hiemenz testified.

She said after Scott left, Knights, Fortuna, Bracero, and another man showed up and forced their way into her apartment, where she was held against a corner and threatened with a firearm held by Fortuna and Knights holding a fist in front of her face. She said they were demanding to know where Knox was hiding, but they did not know Flenory had already taken Knox.

When Knights, Fortuna, and Bracero left her apartment, Hiemenz said she went searching for Knox because she “knew he was in trouble.”

Meanwhile, Flenory had taken Knox back to Knights’ apartment and contacted Knights using Knox’s cellular phone with instructions to meet behind the Mofon Lounge.

Knights testified the plan was to “scare” Knox and rob him of money and drugs if he had any in the alley behind the lounge. Knights said they began beating Knox, who broke free and ran away.

However, Knights testified he did not know Knox had been stabbed until they all got back into his Mercedes and Bracero bragged about stabbing Knox.

“He pulled out a knife and had a big smile on his face,” Knights said, referring to Bracero.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Gary Ross testified Tuesday that Knox suffered three stab wounds, describing two stab wounds as fatal wounds.

Perkowski, who has not been charged, also testified that Bracero had pulled out a knife and claimed he stabbed Knox.

Wilkes-Barre City police Det. James Conmy testified about the investigation and noted that an arrest warrant has been issued for Rosario.

Conmy said it is believed Rosario fled the country.

Prosecutors are expected to rest their case-in-chief on Thursday.