Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man was arraigned this morning on charges accusing him of shooting at a car a week ago, setting off a chain of events that ended with the death of his girlfriend. This morning Shikim Weston, 26, of 223 Warner Ave., repeatedly told Syracuse City Court Judge Vanessa E. Bogan he had no idea why he...
Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man was arraigned this morning on charges accusing him of shooting at a car a week ago, setting off a chain of events that ended with the death of his girlfriend.
This morning Shikim Weston, 26, of 223 Warner Ave., repeatedly told Syracuse City Court Judge Vanessa E. Bogan he had no idea why he was being charged with criminal possession of a weapon, a felony.
“I don’t understand nothing that’s going on,” Weston told the judge during his arraignment proceedings.
I’ll slow it down for you,” Bogan replied.
Weston’s was the last case handled in Bogan’s court. No spectators were in the courtroom when deputies lead Weston, manacled and dressed in a jail-issued orange jump suit, into the courtroom.
Weston is on parole. He pleaded guilty in 2002 to a count of manslaughter in the death of Lakia Jones, 18. He admitted stabbing the woman in the chest and received a six-year sentence. Records show he was released on parole on Dec. 24 and is to be under parole supervision through June 2013.
According to the charges read in court, he is accused of firing a .40-caliber handgun at a car driven by Antwan Aiken, 26, of Syracuse, causing Aiken to crash his car on South Avenue and West Castle Street, and run away. See previous coverage.
The judge set Weston’s bail at $200,000 and assigned Lisa Gilels as his lawyer.
After a discussion between a defense lawyer and district attorney, Bogan denied The Post-Standard's request to take pictures of Weston in court.
During the arraignment proceedings, Weston continually tried to explain what happened.
“You talk at your own risk,” Bogan warned, reminding him that he had the right to remain silent and that anything he said could be used against him in court.
“Whatever,” Weston replied.
“If you want to talk we will all listen,” the judge said, leaning forward in her chair.
“I’m down here and you’re talking about armed robbery and gun charges. I don’t know nothing about what’s going on,” Weston said.
He was about to continue, but when a deputy in the courtroom snickered in derision, Weston stopped, shaking his head.
Weston was in a minivan when the shooting occurred. Police said his girlfriend ,Morgan McMahon, 25, of Fairfield Avenue, was seated in the front passenger seat. Deon Farley, 23, of 245 W. Castle St., and Regina Crenshaw, 22, of Syracuse, were seated behind them.
After Weston allegedly fired on the car, Aiken crashed the vehicle and ran away. Farley went to the vehicle and removed a .22-caliber handgun from under the seat, according to court papers. The minivan then sped away south on Midland Avenue.
When the vehicle approached the intersection at West Colvin Street, Weston cut through a parking lot behind a corner store to avoid the light, police said.
The minivan hit a bump. The gun in Farley’s hand discharged and the bullet struck McMahon in the head. She died a day later at Upstate University Hospital.
Farley was arraigned Friday on charges of criminally negligent homicide and criminal possession of a weapon.