Teen admits his gun killed boy, 8

(Globe file photos)

Jayquan McConnico (left) pleaded guilty today as a youthful offender to involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of 8-year-old Liquarry Jefferson.

By Maria Cramer, Globe Staff

A teenager pleaded guilty today in juvenile court to involuntary manslaughter, admitting that he brought an illegal handgun into the Dorchester apartment where his 8-year-old half-brother, Liquarry Jefferson, was accidentally shot and killed in June 2007.

The guilty plea as a youth offender from Jayquan McConnico came as part of a deal that will spare the 16-year-old from serving time in an adult prison. Instead, McConnico will be placed in a detention center in the custody of the Department of Youth Services until he is 21 years old.

The plea deal, which was approved by the judge and prosecutors, will place McConnico on probation for nine years, carrying a suspended sentence of four to six years in state prison. McConnico agreed to the terms this afternoon after conferring with his attorney, Steven J. Sack.

McConnico stood before the judge in a button-down shirt with his hands and ankles chained. Expressionless, he answered with one-word responses of yes and no. McConnico admitted leaving the gun in an unlocked dresser drawer where Liquarry and his 7-year-old cousin found the weapon in June 2007. Authorities said the cousin accidentally pulled the trigger, fatally shooting Liquarry in the abdomen.

For involuntary manslaughter, prosecutors could have sought a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Assistant Suffolk District Attorney David Deakin said in court that the state asked for a lesser sentence because McConnico has behaved himself in DYS custody in addition to other mitigating circumstances.

"It is the Commonwealth's hope and belief that through his actions he has suffered a far greater and more devastating punishment than I could recommend or the court could impose," Deakin said. "That is the loss of his brother who, by all accounts, he loved."

Under the deal, McConnico was sentenced as a youthful offender. He also received 2 1/2 years probation for misleading police after the shooting, a term that will run concurrent with his probation for involuntary manslaughter.

Defense attorney Sack noted that McConnico felt great remorse and responsibility for his brother's death.

"The enormity of the crime can't be diminished," Sack said. "An 8-year-old boy is dead. Jayquan, of anybody, felt terrible about what had happened."

Liquarry's mother, Lakeisha Gadson, has also been charged in connection with his death. Gadson is accused of allowing McConnico to bring the gun into the apartment. Gadson pleaded not guilty in April to involuntary manslaughter and several other charges.

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