Fernando ‘Chucky’ Bracero is escorted out after a Luzerne County jury convicted him of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Scott Edward Knox on May 7, 2024.
Ed Lewis | Times Leader
Knox
Ed Lewis | Times Leader
WILKES-BARRE — A Luzerne County jury deliberated for a little more than three hours, convicting Fernando (Chucky) Bracero of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Scott Edward Knox in May 2024.
The verdict was announced late Thursday afternoon following a four-day trial before Court of Common Pleas Judge David W. Lupas. Bracero, 37, faces life in prison without parole when he is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 31.
Bracero remained motionless when he learned the verdict through a Spanish interpreter.
After the verdict was announced, the family of Knox hugged First Assistant District Attorney Anthony Ross and Assistant District Attorney Julian Truskowski.
Bracero’s attorney, Andrew B. Bigda, advocated for the lesser offense of involuntary manslaughter.
During the trial, prosecutors presented 13 witnesses, including co-defendant Jaime Knights, 65, Knox’s girlfriend, Carrie Hiemenz, surveillance footage, and body cam video from Wilkes-Barre Police Officer Cody Cecelon, who was the first officer to encounter a blood-covered Knox on the rear steps of 377 S. River St.
Hiemenz testified that Knox did Charles Dennis, also known as Chuckie, a favor by arranging to buy crack cocaine from Jose Rosario-Miranda, 31, in the area of Knights’ apartment at 155 W. River St. on May 6, 2024.
During the deal, according to Hiemenz, Dennis switched the crack cocaine for fake crack that was returned to Rosario Miranda, who immediately realized he was being ripped off.
Hiemenz testified that neither she nor Knox were aware Dennis planned a drug rip.
Knights, who previously pled no contest to third-degree murder, testified that it was believed a “switcheroo” had taken place and were unaware Knox had knowledge of Dennis’ intentions.
Minutes after the failed drug rip, Rosario-Miranda and Knights were joined by Justice Flenory, Jary Javier Fortuna, 33, and other men in planning to retaliate against Knox.
Knights testified the plan was to “scare” and put a “beat-down” on Knox.
Flenory took Knox and drove Knox’s Ford F150 truck, arriving at 3:16 a.m. on May 7, 2024, in an unnamed alley behind the Mofon Lounge on Academy Street. Two minutes later, at 3:23 a.m., Rosario-Miranda, Knights, Fortuna, and other men show up in Knights’ Mercedes.
Video footage showed Knox being attacked and Bracero jabbing at him as Knox broke free.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Gary Ross testified that Knox suffered three fatal stab wounds — two to his upper right thigh that severed the femoral artery and one to his upper right arm that severed the brachial artery.
Bigda strongly argued that Bracero was “reckless” and “owned” the stab wounds to the shoulder and arm since they were captured by surveillance cameras. The stab wound to Knox’s thigh was not recorded.
Bigda sought the lesser offense of involuntary manslaughter as Bracero did not intend to kill Knox, nor were any vital organs struck by the knife, such as the head, neck, chest, and abdomen.
During his closing argument to the jury, Ross told the jury, “The defendant acted with specific intent to kill. It’s not often we have a murder on video, but we have one here.”
Ross noted Bracero missed vital parts of Knox’s body with the knife because Knox was a moving target as Knox was running away. Video footage showed Bracero folding up the knife that he placed in his pocket as Knox broke free.
Flenory and Fortuna are scheduled for separate trials on open counts of criminal homicide, robbery, and criminal conspiracy to commit robbery later this year.
An arrest warrant was issued for Rosario-Miranda by District Judge Thomas Malloy of Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 29, 2025, charging him with criminal homicide, robbery, and criminal conspiracy.
Wilkes-Barre City Police Det. James Conmy testified it is believed Rosario-Miranda, address listed as 111 Edison St., Wilkes-Barre, fled the country.
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