Mercer County Murder Suspect Claims He Acted In Self-Defense

A Hamilton man admits he stabbed a woman to death over the Memorial Day Weekend, but claims he did so in self defense, The Trentonian reports. Jose C. Garcia, 18, is charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon in the fatal stabbing of 48-year-old Brenda Garzio.

Garcia claims he engaged in a consensual sex act with Garzio, but when it was finished, she pulled a knife on him and demanded more money, according to the report. The alleged murder took place on the 900 block of South Broad Street, an area known for what the report calls “quality of life issues,” including prostitution.

Garcia was arrested last week in Trenton after police identified him as the man seen on surveillance footage leaving the area in which the alleged murder took place.

Trenton police responded to a report of a woman screaming for help at a home on the 900 block of South Broad Street in Trenton at about 11:15 p.m. on May 28. Police found Garzio suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following his arrest, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion to have Garcia detained. Despite Garcia’s attorney arguing that he acted in self-defense and shouldn’t be detained, the judge ultimately signed the order to have him detained, according to the report.

The attached image of Jose C. Garcia was provided by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office