By Michael Morton
In a separate case, a St. Albans 19-year-old pleaded guilty last week to shooting to death another teen who was riding a bicycle two years ago, the DA spokeswoman said.The South Jamaica man, Oliver Berry, 25, of 115-31 158th St. was brought to trial in State Supreme Court in Kew Gardens on charges of murder, attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment, the spokeswoman said. Arguments in the case finished Tuesday, after which the jury found the South Jamaica man guilty of all three charges. Berry could face up to 25 years to life in prison when he returns May 3 for sentencing.During opening testimony April 6, a witness for the prosecution identified Berry as the shooter who killed Josiah Salley, 27, of 166th Street in South Jamaica, the DA spokeswoman said. Berry's defense attorney said, however, that there was enough reasonable doubt to find his client innocent.Berry and Salley were driving separate cars when they almost collided in July 2002 at the corner of Guy R. Brewer Boulevard and Foch Boulevard in South Jamaica, police said at the time of the killing. The two got out and began fighting, an altercation that was stopped by onlookers.Later in the day, Salley drove by the same corner again and stopped to apologize after spotting Berry standing there, police said. Berry, however, yelled an insult and allegedly fired a handgun, striking Salley twice and killing him, police said.Berry remained at large until May 2004, when police found him in Brooklyn after receiving tips thanks to a TV episode of “America's Most Wanted,” the DA spokeswoman said.In the bicycle shooting case, Jermaine Samuels of 119-32 191st St. pleaded guilty to manslaughter April 6 in State Supreme Court in Kew Gardens, the spokeswoman said. The judge in the case indicated the 19-year-old would receive 14 years in prison when he returns to court May 12.Samuels was initially charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon, and could have faced up to 25 years to life in prison if his case had gone to trial and he had been found guilty. The St. Albans resident was arrested after shooting Ronnie Hardy, 19, in the head in May 2003 as Hardy rode his bicycle near the corner of 118th Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard in South Jamaica. Samuels confessed the crime to detectives at the 113th Precinct, the DA spokeswoman said.Reach reporter Michael Morton by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
