Blue Bridge death: Fight was planned and rules set, said police

Elizabeth Murray | Burlington Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Man faces murder charge after fatal fight on Blue Bridge Joshua Granger pleaded not guilty on Monday, June 11, 2018, to a charge of second-degree murder after police say a fight in Jared Streeter's death.

The fight that ended with a man plunging to his death off the Blue Bridge in Burlington was a planned culmination of a longstanding dispute over a woman, Burlington police Chief Brandon del Pozo said Monday.

The Saturday evening fight drew a small audience of witnesses. And there were rules. The main rule: No weapons.

Jared Streeter, 20, of Milton ultimately fell about 50 feet from the railroad bridge that connects Burlington and Winooski and onto the rocks below. He suffered blunt force trauma to his head.

The suspect in his killing, Joshua Granger, 20, fled the scene and turned himself in at the Winooski police station less than 15 minutes later, an affidavit written by Burlington police Detective Michael Beliveau states.

Granger, of Winooski, pleaded not guilty on Monday to a charge of second-degree murder. He was held without bail pending a hearing to address bail. Prosecutors have asked that Granger remain jailed without bail.

"The State can show that the Defendant was actually aware of the risk of death or great bodily harm, and he ignored that risk," stated a motion written by Chittenden County Deputy State's Attorney Franklin Paulino.

Earlier: Man in fight falls off Blue Bridge, dies; his combatant faces murder charge

Dozens of supporters for both men flocked to the courthouse Monday for the court hearing. Many shed tears either during the hearing or outside the courtroom afterward.

One of Streeter's friends, Caleb Moore of Burlington, spoke to the media outside the courtroom, saying Streeter "would give the shirt off his back to anyone."

"Even if it was his last $5, he would get something with it for you," Moore said. He added, "He was taken too soon in a way that nobody should go."

Moore said he was feeling sad, confused and "kind of blank" Monday, but that he felt he needed to be at the courthouse to show support for his friend.

"He would be there for me," Moore said.

The fight

Granger and Streeter arranged to meet up to have a "fair fight" on Saturday, court papers show. Granger told police there was an ongoing dispute between the two men regarding a girl they were both interested in.

Granger said he saw Streeter and one of Streeter's friends on Pearl Street in Burlington earlier Saturday, and he sent a message to Streeter's friend threatening to "beat them up," Beliveau wrote in his affidavit. Granger continued to exchange messages with Streeter's friends over Facebook, and chose to meet at the Blue Bridge over an area near Manhattan Drive.

Witnesses told police the location was chosen since police would be less likely to intervene. A group of about seven to 10 people attended to make sure it was going to be a fair fight, said one witness, Gordon Bell, according to Beliveau's affidait.

Public defender Brian Dodge enters plea of not guilty to 2nd degree murder for Joshua Granger. Judge will set next hearing as soon as possible regarding state motion to hold him without bail #vt #BTV — Elizabeth Murray (@LizMurrayBFP) June 11, 2018

Bell told police that once the confrontation began, the group advanced toward the two fighting, which caused them to back up toward the bridge, according to an affidavit.

One witness, Dillon Scott Whitney, told police that Granger knocked Streeter out and Streeter was "sleeping for a good two seconds," according to a second affidavit.

Granger said that even though he believed he knocked Streeter unconscious, he was going to hit him with an uppercut to "finish it." One of Streeter's friends stopped him, Beliveau's affidavit states.

Then the fight continued, but Streeter was still groggy. Granger then punched Streeter again, and Streeter fell down, rolled over and off the side of the Blue Bridge, Granger told police.

Granger said "it was the hardest he had ever punched someone and stated that he hoped he was okay."

Granger fled the scene after Streeter's fall, and he then turned himself in. Whitney said witnesses attempted to grab Streeter when they saw him falling, but failed. Several people said they attempted to chase after Granger, but they couldn't catch up with him.

Burlington police Chief del Pozo said toxicology results from an autopsy will show if Streeter was under the influence of any substances. However, Sgt. James Trieb added, "I don't think that plays into the fight itself."

Granger is being jailed at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans Town. If convicted, he faces 20 years to life in prison.

A fundraiser on GoFundMe.com has been created to cover Streeter's funeral costs. As of late Monday afternoon, it had raised $480 of a $7,000 goal.

Police urge anyone who witnessed the fight to call the Burlington Police Department at 540-2329.

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LizMurrayBFP.