Man charged with killing Gainesville businessman outside CVS makes first appearance

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - The man who police said is responsible for the death of a prominent Hall County businessman appeared in court Monday as the man’s family gathered to grieve.

Demarvin Bennett had a number of questions about the charges against him and the legal process when he made his first appearance on Monday. Bennett is accused of killing 73-year-old Jack Hough last Thursday outside a Gainesville CVS.

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Gainesville Police said Hough was sitting in his car in the parking lot of the store on Park Hill Drive around 7:45 p.m. while his wife had gone into the drug store to get a prescription. According to investigators, a man, only partially seen on surveillance, shot the 73-year-old twice during an apparent robbery attempt.

After an investigation, police said forensic evidence identified the suspect to be the 24-year-old East Point resident. Around 2 a.m. Sunday, police located and arrested Bennett in East Point without incident.

Police said officers have recovered what they believe to be the murder weapon and are in the process of a forensic test on it.

Investigators said Bennett and his girlfriend were in Gainesville area looking for work and housing.

Bennett was being held Monday afternoon in the Hall County Jail without bond.

Police said Bennett has had prior arrests in Georgia.

Hough was laid to rest Monday afternoon.

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