Beauregard: I Was Asleep at Time of Shooting

SAN BERNARDINO —  In the final day of his attempted-murder trial, former Cal State Northridge football player Jonathan Beauregard testified that he was home asleep when his former girlfriend and her male companion were shot outside a San Bernardino bar.

Beauregard, 23, is charged with two counts of attempted murder for allegedly shooting Dunyella D. Smith in the hip and Von E. Thompson in the chest and arm on Aug. 29, 1994. A bulletproof vest is credited with saving Thompson’s life.

He could not have been the triggerman, Beauregard said Wednesday in San Bernardino Superior Court, because he arrived home after getting gas at about 11:45 p.m. and didn’t leave the rest of the night. He said his grandmother called at about 4 a.m. and said she had received a phone call that he had been involved in a shooting.

“I just couldn’t believe it . . . it just blew me out of the water,” Beauregard said.

Beauregard testified that he got dressed immediately and left for his grandmother’s house, which is down the street from where he lives with his mother and cousin. On the way he was apprehended by police. Beauregard acknowledged he gave a fake name.

“Because I didn’t want to get arrested,” Beauregard said when asked why. “I knew they was looking for me.”

Beauregard denied punching Smith on April 2, 1994 or threatening her life in a June 30 altercation, in which he became jealous after spotting a photo in her apartment of her being embraced by another man. Smith filed police reports after both incidents.

“He had her hands around her waist and I thought that was pretty disrespectful,” Beauregard said. “I didn’t like it.”

But he said he did not become violent. He characterized his relationship at the time with Smith as “fine,” and said, “I was happy. As far as I know she was.”

Beauregard testified that he is no longer romantically involved with Smith but has contact with her because they have a child. He also said his mother and brother have driven Smith to and from court during the trial.

The jury will begin deliberations today at 9 a.m. If Beauregard is found guilty he faces a prison sentence of five years to life.