Mother, half brother of Liquarry Jefferson charged in his death

By Maria Cramer, Globe Staff

The mother and half brother of 8-year-old Liquarry Jefferson have been charged with involuntary manslaughter and several other crimes in his shooting death last June.

Prosecutors and police said at a press conference this afternoon that indictments were returned this morning against both Lakeisha Gadson, 31, and Jayquan McConnico, 16, who knew a 9 mm gun was in their Seaver Street home but did nothing to protect the children who lived there.

Liquarry was shot and killed about 11:30 p.m. on June 24 when he and his 7-year-old cousin were playing with the loaded gun. Police have said the cousin accidentally shot Liquarry in the abdomen. Liquarry later died at the hospital.

Initially, the family lied to police, saying armed intruders had barged into the apartment. The family later apologized for lying.

Gadson faces six counts: involuntary manslaughter, wantonly or recklessly permitting substantial bodily injury to a child, child endangerment, improper storage of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, and misleading a police officer. She is scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on Wednesday.

McConnico has been charged as a youthful offender with improper storage of a firearm, involuntary manslaughter, and misleading police. He will be arraigned in juvenile court on April 7, officials said.

"The facts are both shocking and sad," Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said at the press conference. "Shocking because the actions that led to Liquarry’s death were so reckless and the consequences so predictable, and sad because an 8-year-old boy lost his life because the two people who should have been most concerned with his care and protection were utterly derelict in their duties."

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