Calif. man accused of killing mother, brother with shotgun pleads insanity

A Redding man facing trial in the fatal shootings of his mother and brother last year told a judge Friday that he was legally insane at the time, a plea that pushes his case back while doctors examine his mental state.

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Jesse Anthony Penta, 32, is charged with two counts of murder in the Sept. 2, 2025, shooting deaths of his mother, Chastity Milenewicz, 47, and his brother, Anthony Ray Penta, 29.

Redding police said dispatchers began receiving calls about shots fired on Abernathy Lane around 1:15 p.m. that day. Around the same time, a man called to say he had shot two people outside his home and was still armed inside. Officers activated SWAT and an armored vehicle, and nearby Columbia Elementary School was placed on lockdown, according to a police news release.

Officers found two adults with gunshot wounds outside the home and attempted lifesaving measures, but both died at the scene, police said. A crisis intervention response team officer helped negotiate Penta’s surrender, and he was booked into Shasta County Jail on two counts of murder following a detective interview.

The Shasta County Coroner’s Office identified the victims three days later as Milenewicz and Penta, both of Redding.

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Police say Penta admitted during a 911 call to shooting his mother and brother with a 12-gauge shotgun, claiming self-defense, according to Action News Now. Penta pleaded not guilty to the murder charges and related enhancements at his September 2025 arraignment, according to the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

His case has moved slowly since then, marked by repeated competency evaluations. In May, Penta chose to represent himself when he appeared in court to set a trial date. Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kafel told the court she had about 50 witnesses and asked for an October trial date. No date was set that day, and Penta, still representing himself, said he wanted to go to trial as soon as possible. A public defender was reappointed to the case in June.

Back in court Friday, Penta entered the insanity plea, KRCR reported. By doing so, he’s no longer just contesting the charges. He’s arguing he didn’t understand what he was doing was wrong when the shootings happened, a claim the court will now weigh separately through medical evaluation. Penta is being held without bail. No future court appearances are currently listed.