Man, 25, convicted in 2000 slaying

A 25-year-old Dorchester man was convicted of firstdegree murder yesterday in Suffolk Superior Court for shooting an 18-year-old man at least 15 times in retaliation on behalf of a gang in 2000.

Andre Walker, whom prosecutors described as a Franklin Hill gang leader, was convicted in the death of Francis Stephens and also found guilty of assault with intent to commit murder in the shooting of Stephens's friend, Jose Astacio, who was 19 at the time.

Walker's codefendant, 22-year-old Willie Johnson, was acquitted yesterday of the same charges. Walker, who was also convicted of unlawful possession of a gun, will be sentenced Dec. 23.

The first-degree murder charge carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility for parole, said David Procopio, spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.

Jurors spent six days deliberating, reaching their decision at about 3:30 p.m. yesterday, he said.

According to prosecutors, the shooting occurred at about 8 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2000, when Stephens and Astacio were walking a pit bull near Glenway and Harlem streets in Dorchester.

Walker and Johnson drove past the pair, and Walker shot Stephens in the legs, knocking him to the ground, prosecutors said.

Walker then continued to shoot Stephens after he had fallen, and also opened fire on Astacio, who took cover under a car and survived, they said.

During the trial, prosecutors said the shooting appeared to be retaliation for a nonfatal shooting earlier that day -- part of a feud between Walker's Franklin Hill gang and a rival gang from Esmond Street.

Prosecutors said Walker wanted to avenge a fellow gang member's injury by shooting a member of the Esmond Street gang, but instead shot Stephens, who was not affiliated with the gang but was walking through their territory. The pit bull was also injured.

After the shooting, Boston police recovered 27 shell casings from the scene.

Stephens was a popular student at Jeremiah E. Burke High School and a former captain of the football team.

Within days, classmates raised $800 for his family, friends said soon after the shooting.

Stephens had been taking night courses to earn his high school diploma and was volunteering as a coach for the football team.

A woman who answered the phone at Stephens's home last night said family members were not available to comment.