Jonathan Letendre Northampton Death, Obituary: Brian Camp Southampton accused of killing girlfriend's ex in Chesterfield

On Monday, a jury was selected in Hampshire Superior Court for the trial of Brian Camp, who faces charges related to the deadly shooting of Jonathan Letendre in Chesterfield, Massachusetts, in 2022. 

Camp, 24, from Southampton, is accused of shooting and killing Letendre, 27, of Northampton. The case centers around a confrontation that occurred in the early hours of the morning on South Street in Chesterfield, where Camp was staying at his ex-girlfriend’s home.

According to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, the incident unfolded shortly after midnight when Letendre allegedly broke into the home of his former partner, where Camp was also staying. At the time of the break-in, the woman and Camp were asleep upstairs with her two young children. 

The situation quickly escalated when Letendre attempted to ascend the stairs, and the noise woke Camp and the woman. The two individuals then became involved in a struggle with Letendre, leading to a violent confrontation.

As the altercation unfolded, the woman, fearing for their safety, called 911. While she was speaking with dispatchers, gunshots rang out, and approximately eight and a half minutes later, another shot was heard. 

When officers arrived at the scene around 1 a.m., they found Letendre lying on the kitchen floor with gunshot wounds to his torso and the back of his head. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Camp, who was in possession of a semiautomatic pistol that he lawfully owned, was arrested and charged with manslaughter. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a $10,000 bond. 

As part of his release conditions, Camp was ordered to surrender his license to carry (LTC) and his firearms identification card (FID). Additionally, he was prohibited from possessing firearms and was not allowed to live in a household where firearms were present.

The trial is being overseen by Judge James M. Manitsas, with Northwestern First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne prosecuting the case. Camp’s defense is being led by Attorney Thomas Kokonowski. Opening statements are set to begin on Tuesday, and the trial is expected to run into the following week.

If convicted of manslaughter, Camp faces significant legal consequences. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in state prison, or at the very least, 2.5 years in the House of Correction. 

The case has attracted attention due to its dramatic nature and the serious charges involved, as it raises questions about self-defense, the use of firearms, and the potential consequences of a domestic dispute escalating into violence.

The trial is expected to delve into the details of the incident, including the moments leading up to Letendre’s death, the role of the gunfire in the confrontation, and the legal arguments surrounding the actions taken by Camp. 

It will also focus on whether the circumstances of the shooting can be justified as an act of self-defense or if they cross the line into unlawful use of force. The verdict will have significant implications for both Camp and the family of Jonathan Letendre, whose life was tragically cut short.