7-Eleven killing suspect denied bond, will remain in jail

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

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.- The man accused of murdering an 18-year-old 7-Eleven clerk before setting him on fire will be held on no bond on arson and murder charges.

In 28-year-old Michael Russo’s court hearing on Thursday, detectives said they believe there was a “high level” of premeditation on Russo’s behalf in the killing of Kyle Farishian.

“Very high level, because he was disguised, went through a lengthy disguise to cover his entire body, brought a weapon, brought gasoline to destroy evidence after the murder,” said Lt. Terry Cochran with the Punta Gorda Police Department.

Cochran, the lead detective in the case, was the first called to the stand Thursday morning to recount all the evidence in the 14-page affidavit used to arrest Russo.

Yet Russo’s defense attorney, Mark Desisto, says much of the evidence collected by authorities is circumstantial and doesn’t directly prove Russo was behind the crime.

“It certainly looks damaging, certainly doesn’t look good,” Desisto said, “as far as the allegations that were made, but the question is how accurate are those facts? Will it hold up under cross-examination, under scrutiny?”

Farishian’s family was also in the courtroom, visibly emotional as authorities described how he was killed.

“We’re thankful that the judge held him without bond,” said JJ McCoy, Farishian’s stepfather. “I just hate that everything keeps going in this direction and we’re focusing on this guy when the fact is, we’re missing our son. Kyle isn’t here and Kyle is what this is about.”

 

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