7-Eleven murder suspect enters not guilty plea

Published: Updated:
Michael J Russo (Photo courtesy of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.- The man suspected of killing a Punta Gorda 7-Eleven employee entered a not guilty plea Tuesday.

Michael Russo, 28, is accused of shooting 18-year-old Kyle Farishian in November before setting his body on fire.

Russo is being held in jail on no bond for arson and murder charges.

Detectives say they believe there was a “high level” of premeditation on Russo’s behalf in Farishian’s murder.

Russo’s attorneys filed a motion asking that evidence collected in the case, including latex gloves taken from Russo’s home, surveillance video from the 7-Eleven, and DNA samples, be preserved and protected and not destroyed.

A court hearing is set for Friday.

 

 

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.