Georgia Man Accused of Fatally Shooting Mother’s Neighbor Denied Bail

By Lilly Berretta [former] - February 1, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A 38-year-old Georgia man accused of fatally shooting his mother’s neighbor after a dispute last September was denied bail on Jan. 28 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Phillip Jackson. 

Alejandro Gonzalez is charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm during a violent crime, and having a loaded handgun on his person in connection to an incident on Sept. 4, 2021. 

During bail review on Friday, Judge Jackson listened as the defendant’s defense attorneys, Andrew Jezic and Michael Stark, described the case as a “case of classic perfect self-defense”. 

Jezic also said, on Sept. 4, 2021, the defendant traveled from his home in Georgia with his fiancée and their two children. When he arrived at his mother’s residence, he saw a dispute happening between his mother and her neighbor, who was later identified as 26-year-old Travis Ben-Watkins. 

After trying to defuse the situation, Gonzalez began packing his car to go back to Georgia when the alleged victim started yelling death threats to the defendant and his family. 

Ben-Watkins the allegedly broke a chair in an attempt to use a piece as a weapon and charged at the defendant with piece of the chair in one hand and a gun in the other.  

“Mr. Gonzalez took possession of his mother’s lawfully-owned and registered firearm and did what he was free to do” and shot Ben-Watkins to protect himself and his family, said Jezic.

In addition, Jezic noted that the defendant suffers from PTSD, asthma, and a traumatic brain disorder. He allegedly sought treatment at a veteran’s hospital in the past. 

The prosecution argued that this was not a case of self-defense because the defendant’s mother allegedly claimed that her son initiated the argument and took her gun knowing where it was. 

In addition, the prosecutor noted that Ben-Watkins was shot six times with four entry wounds to the back. 

After listening to counsel, Judge Jackson denied bail.

Gonzalez’s next appearance is for a pre-trial conference on March 1.