Hey, there! Log in / Register

Two gang members face life without parole for murder of Dorchester teen who had nothing to do with their beef

A Suffolk Superior Court jury today found Sheldon Mattis and Nyasani Watt guilty of gunning down 16-year-old Jaivon Blake outside a Geneva Avenue convenience store in September, 2011, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

Mattis, 18 at the time of the murder, will be automatically sentenced to life without parole. Watt was 17 at the time of the murder, which means prosecutors have to ask a judge to also put him away for the rest of his life.

The DA's office provided this account:

On Sept. 25, 2011, the evidence showed, the two defendants saw the surviving victim standing outside a Geneva Avenue convenience store. Testimony proved that Mattis engaged in a brief conversation with the boy in an attempt to determine whether he belonged to a rival gang. He bought rolling papers for the boy and then returned to Levant Street and informed his associates that the young teen belonged to a rival gang.

The boy then walked away and met up with his friend, Blake.

The evidence showed that Watt armed himself with a .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun, which Mattis helped conceal. Mattis then gave Watt an encouraging pat on the back as Watt rode a bicycle toward the young teens on Geneva Avenue. He then fired at least six shots, striking Blake in the back, piercing his liver, spine, and major blood vessels. Responding Boston Police officers were able to briefly resuscitate Blake, but he died at Boston Medical Center later that day.

The surviving teen was shot in the neck, leaving a trail of blood as he fled. He was treated for his injuries at Boston Medical Center and survived his injuries.

The two were also convicted of convicted of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and gun charges related to the second teen's shooting.

Two pals of the shooters pleaded guilty to a variety of charges, including witness intimidation and perjury. Another alleged gang member still awaits trial.on a charge of witness intimidation.

Neighborhoods: 
Topics: 


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

Comments

can't even figure out who their enemy is. losers.

up
Voting closed 0