Father, Son Put Gun In Shooting Victim's Hand, Deputies Say

SARASOTA, FL — Three people face charges in connection with the shooting death of a Sarasota man in late March after deputies reviewed video evidence and found footage that shows a father and son placing a gun in the victim’s hands.

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the story James Cain, 61, told deputies after the March 27 shooting death of Jason Head, 35, didn’t quite add up. Cain initially told deputies that Head arrived on his 325 Myakka Road property around 8:11 p.m. and began shooting at him. Cain told investigators he returned fire and killed Head.

A search warrant executed on Cain’s home March 28 produced three video recorders that happened to be attached to surveillance cameras at the front of Cain’s property, the sheriff’s office said in a media release. After reviewing the footage, detectives say they found video and audio recordings that implicate Cain and his son Robert Cain, 32, in murder and a subsequent staging of the crime scene.

“Both men are seen and heard conversing near Head's lifeless body before placing a gun in his hand and staging a crime scene,” the sheriff’s office said.

Robert Cain’s girlfriend, Racquel Pontbriand, 27, was also seen on the video picking up Robert and driving away from the home, the sheriff’s office said. Moments later, James Cain placed the call to 911, the agency reported.

“Detectives do not believe Jason Head instigated the shooting or was armed,” the sheriff’s office said.

The father, James Cain, has been charged as a principal to second-degree murder with a firearm, the sheriff’s office reported Thursday. Robert Cain was charged with second-degree murder with a firearm. Pontbriand was jailed on accessory after the fact to second-degree murder charges.

“Robert Cain is a prolific offender in Sarasota County with an extensive criminal history to include burglary, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and drug possession,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “Pontbriand's history includes dealing in stolen property, theft and drug possession.”

All three are being held in the Sarasota County Jail without bond.

Booking photos of Robert Cain, James Cain and Racquel Pontbriand courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office

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