Syracuse, NY - A Syracuse man accused of intentionally murdering another man in the city last year was indicted today on substantially lower charges. Shawnde Washington, 25, of 141 Wood Ave., was indicted on a felony charge of second-degree manslaughter and a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the Sept. 14 shooting death of Justin Mills....
Syracuse, NY - A Syracuse man accused of intentionally murdering another man in the city last year was indicted today on substantially lower charges.
Shawnde Washington, 25, of 141 Wood Ave., was indicted on a felony charge of second-degree manslaughter and a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the Sept. 14 shooting death of Justin Mills.
Mills, 18, was standing in a crowd of people in the 100 block of West Brighton Avenue when he was struck by a single shot fired from a .22-caliber rifle, authorities said. Police said Washington’s stepfather had been involved in a dispute with another person and Washington was reportedly present with the gun to make sure there was a fair fight.
Washington was originally charged with intentional second-degree murder when he surrendered to police two days after the fatal shooting. A murder conviction carries a maximum penalty of 25 years to life in state prison.
But the grand jury indictment only accuses Washington of recklessly causing the victim’s death. The maximum penalty for second-degree manslaughter is up to 15 years in prison.
Neither prosecutor Robert Duncanson nor defense lawyer Randi Bianco was available for an explanation for the change in the charges.