By his own admission, a man charged with first-degree felony murder said Thursday during his arraignment that he’s a 14-time felon.
Marcus Petenathan Gergish, 34, 1206 Flora Ave., Johnson City, appeared in Washington County General Sessions Court to hear the charge against him. Judge Don Arnold read the affidavit charging Gergish after the man said he didn’t really understand the charge.
Gergish is charged with shooting to death Timothy Peregoy Sr., 47, of Kingsport. He died early Wednesday morning at Johnson City Medical Center. Police found him on a sidewalk at Westgate Village Apartments, 1735 Nathaniel Drive with two gunshot wounds.
Peregoy and his wife, whose name was not documented in court records, were apparently in Johnson City visiting his son.
According to Johnson City police investigators, Gergish was in Apartment No. 55, where Peregoy and his family were, to buy suboxone strips. After the alleged transaction, Gergish left. A short time later, Peregoy, his wife and son also left a short time later. Witnesses told police they heard an altercation and saw Peregoy sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle and Gergish pointing a handgun at him. Gergish apparently saw the witnesses, pointed the gun at them and then back at Peregoy.
They overheard Gergish tell Peregoy to “give it up, give it up,” before the witnesses heard two shots. Gergish and another person ran from the scene, police said.
Gergish was captured in east Johnson City later Wednesday.
Keep visiting JohnsonCityPress.com for more on this developing story.