Fernando Bracero leaves the Luzerne County Courthouse after being sentenced to life in prison without parole on Monday.
Times Leader File Photo
Knox
WILKES-BARRE — A Wilkes-Barre man convicted of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Scott Edward Knox in what turned out to be a misunderstood drug rip was sentenced to life in prison on Monday.
Fernando Bracero, 37, remained quiet when given the chance to speak before he was sentenced by Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge David W. Lupas to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
First Assistant District Attorney Anthony G. Ross described Bracero’s silence as showing no remorse.
A jury convicted Bracero of first-degree murder following a four-day trial in July. Bracero’s trial attorney, Andrew B. Bigda, advocated during closing arguments for the lesser offense of involuntary manslaughter.
Detectives with the Wilkes-Barre City police and the district attorney’s office said Bracero joined Jaime Knights, 65, Justice Flenory, 25, Jary Javier Fortuna, 33, Jose Rosario-Miranda, 31, and others in an alley behind the Mofon Lounge on Academy Street on May 7, 2024.
Video footage displayed during the trial by Ross and Assistant District Attorney Julian Truskowski showed Knox being attacked and Bracero armed with a folding knife. Knox managed to break free but collapsed behind an apartment on South River Street, Wilkes-Barre, where city patrol officers found him.
Knox was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, where he died shortly after arrival.
An autopsy revealed Knox suffered lacerations that severed the femoral artery in his right thigh and the brachial artery in his upper right arm.
During Bracero’s trial, Knights testified that Knox was blamed for a “switcheroo” during a crack cocaine sale hours earlier.
Knox’s girlfriend, Carrie Hiemenz, testified that Knox did Charles Dennis a favor by arranging to buy crack cocaine from Rosario-Miranda in the area of the Knights’ apartment on West River Street on May 6, 2024.
During the deal, 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 was aware Dennis planned a drug rip.
Knox’s mother, Linda Ann Knox, and his older brother, Eric, described Knox as a loving and kind son, brother, uncle, and godfather, who would give anything to those closest to him.
“(Bracero) not only ended someone’s life, he took away someone’s future,” Eric Knox said about his younger brother, who he said was the godfather and best friend to his daughter.
Knights pleaded no contest to third-degree murder for his alleged role, and Flenory pleaded guilty to third-degree murder. They have not been sentenced. Fortuna is scheduled for trial on criminal homicide charges in early October.
An arrest warrant charging Rosario-Miranda with criminal homicide remains open as city police Det. James Conmy previously said he may have fled the country.
Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more.
Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism.