For first time, alleged shooter identified in Harvard killing

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

For the first time, Middlesex prosecutors today identified the person they say is responsible for shooting a Cambridge man to death inside a Harvard University residence hall this May.

WBZ photo Jabrai Jordan Copney

Speaking in Cambridge District Court where the third suspect was being arraigned, Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Daniel Bennett said that Jabrai Jordan Copney shot Justin Cosby in the basement of Kirkland House.

Bennett made his disclosure as Jason Aquino, 23, pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, accessory after the fact of murder, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm. Judge Roann Sragow-Licht ordered Aquino, who wore a white shirt with blue stripes and looked younger than his age, held without bail.

Copney, 20, has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder and is being held without bail. Blayn Jiggetts, 19, is being held by New York City authorities as he fights being forced to come to Massachusetts and face similar charges.

In court, Bennett said all three men left New York and came to the Cambridge campus of Harvard on May 18. They made their way inside the residence hall and went to the basement to meet Cosby. They were armed with a 9mm handgun, Bennett said.

"Jiggetts handed the firearm to Copney,'' Bennett said in court. During a struggle, Copney shot Cosby and the wounded Cambridge man stumbled out of the building and onto Dunster Street, where he collapsed.

Cosby's mother, Denise, attended the brief court proceeding but declined to comment. In a statement she e-mailed to the Globe later, she welcomed the arrest -- and expressed the hope that more arrests will be made, if needed.

"Our family is very grateful to the law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest and apprehension of the individuals who are involved in the murder of our beloved Justin,'' the victim's mother said in her statement.

She added, '"we are still trying to cope with the reality of his murder and our great loss. We hope that anyone else who was involved in the planning and execution of Justin's murder will be brought to justice."

Matthew Kamholtz, the Boston attorney who appeared for Aquino at the arraignment, said he is still learning about the case and his client. He said Aquino is a high school graduate who had college and had no criminal record that he knew of.