Father, UNF employee killed in home invasion was set to testify in trial

Action News Jax has uncovered that a Jacksonville murder victim was set to testify in a trial the day he was killed.

University of North Florida IT engineer Joe Brenton was killed during what the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is calling a home invasion Wednesday. Working on a tip, we got the witness list in a trial that was set to begin just hours after he was killed.

The victim was supposed to testify against the man accused of breaking into his home two years ago.

Records we've obtained show that the suspect arrested in that case is still in jail. Brenton's family tells us his death was not a random crime; they fear he was targeted to keep him from testifying.

The shattered glass around Brenton's rural Jacksonville home shows where he was shot and killed Wednesday morning.

We got a tip from his family Wednesday that that Brenton may have been targeted.

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On Thursday, we uncovered court documents showing Brenton at the top of a witness list in a trial set to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Brenton was testifying against Jecorian McCray. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reports show that McCray is accused of breaking into Brenton’s home last year, stealing jewelry, prescription drugs and appliances.

Brenton's relatives spoke to us about what may have the lead up the murder.

"That was the same people they were going to court today. From what I understand, they come knocking on the door. The girl did, it must have been his girlfriend, and ask them if they would take some money to say they let them come in the house…and… and they slammed the door. It really made them mad then. That's when they come back last night and shot him," said relative Jerry Riggins.

At last check, no arrests have been made in this Brenton’s murder. The UNF worker leaves behind a wife and daughter.

RELATED: UNF employee killed in home invasion was ‘God-fearing man'

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