James Marckesano charged with murder in Hempstead shooting, police say

Nassau homicide detectives have charged a Hempstead man in connection with a July 4 killing on a Hempstead street, police said.

James C. Marckesano, 24, of Booth Street was arrested Nov. 23 in Houston, Texas, and was extradited to Nassau County on Tuesday, police said. He was charged with the murder of Victor Benitez, 28, who was shot in the torso early on the morning of July 4 in Hempstead, police said.

Benitez was shot as he left a deli on Clinton Street near Wellington Street, according to police. He was found lying in front of 426 Clinton St. and pronounced dead at the scene at 4:45 a.m., police said.

Marckesano will be arraigned Wednesday on a second-degree murder charge in First District Court in Hempstead, police said.