Crystal
02-20-2005, 07:14 PM
Gunman guilty in killing
Jury finds Brooklyn shooter murdered Albany mechanic on street
By MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer
First published: Saturday, February 19, 2005
ALBANY -- A Brooklyn drifter was convicted of second-degree murder Friday after he swore a gun magically appeared in his hand July 8, when a popular father of three was killed.
Jurors deliberated over two days before handing up a guilty verdict against Dashawn Carter, 27. He smiled while being returned to jail.
Courtney Young's family, often 50 strong in acting state Supreme Court Justice Dan Lamont's courtroom, wailed in relief, saying justice was served.
Carter claimed he was so drunk that night he had no memory of what happened. He was accused of firing six rounds from a 9 mm handgun at Young, 33, outside the Twilight Lounge on Green Street. Three bullets found their mark. Young, who was a mechanic in Albany, died within the hour.
Albany County prosecutor Lawrence Wiest said Young was a charming and charismatic man whose death was senseless. Wiest credited Deputy Public Defender Peter Lynch for offering the best defense he could under the circumstances. Carter basically did himself in, Wiest said. Carter claimed the gun just appeared in his hand, yet testimony made it clear he left the bar after arguing with Young, retrieved a nearby gun and then waited outside.
Lynch said an appeal will be based in part on an error he said surfaced when a police officer testified about Carter's criminal history without permission.
Carter faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life when he is sentenced on April 15.
Jury finds Brooklyn shooter murdered Albany mechanic on street
By MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON, Staff writer
First published: Saturday, February 19, 2005
ALBANY -- A Brooklyn drifter was convicted of second-degree murder Friday after he swore a gun magically appeared in his hand July 8, when a popular father of three was killed.
Jurors deliberated over two days before handing up a guilty verdict against Dashawn Carter, 27. He smiled while being returned to jail.
Courtney Young's family, often 50 strong in acting state Supreme Court Justice Dan Lamont's courtroom, wailed in relief, saying justice was served.
Carter claimed he was so drunk that night he had no memory of what happened. He was accused of firing six rounds from a 9 mm handgun at Young, 33, outside the Twilight Lounge on Green Street. Three bullets found their mark. Young, who was a mechanic in Albany, died within the hour.
Albany County prosecutor Lawrence Wiest said Young was a charming and charismatic man whose death was senseless. Wiest credited Deputy Public Defender Peter Lynch for offering the best defense he could under the circumstances. Carter basically did himself in, Wiest said. Carter claimed the gun just appeared in his hand, yet testimony made it clear he left the bar after arguing with Young, retrieved a nearby gun and then waited outside.
Lynch said an appeal will be based in part on an error he said surfaced when a police officer testified about Carter's criminal history without permission.
Carter faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life when he is sentenced on April 15.