A jury said there is no way the suspect murdered Cory in Charlotte, leaving prosecutors steaming mad
On September 17, 2025 a jury found Zatario Stewart, 33, not guilty of the murder of 27-year-old Cory Carpenter in Charlotte, NC.
Cory was shot to death on the side of a road in Matthews, NC on August 10, 2020. On the day of the murder around 8:14 a.m., Matthews Police officers responded to Lakeview Circle regarding an abandoned vehicle.
Zatario and Tobias were later arrested, both charged with the murder of Cory. Tobias eventually was convicted of charges related to the murder via a plea deal.
In September 2025 Zatario’s trial started and he refused to take a plea deal by over zealous prosecutors.
After hearing all trial evidence, the jury deliberated and then returned a verdict of not guilty.
