A Brooklyn man was sentenced to 18 years in prison Wednesday, Aug. 3, for fatally shooting a man in St. Albans just over a year ago, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Rayshawn Cherry, 28, of Grove Street in Bushwick, pleaded guilty on July 13 before Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant to manslaughter in the first degree.
According to the charges, on the night of June 11, 2021, Cherry followed the victim, Wayne Joseph, moments after the man exited a basement apartment on Quencer Road, where the defendant’s girlfriend lived. Cherry approached Joseph and proceeded to chase the 29-year-old man around parked vehicles and past several homes while holding a firearm. Moments later, Cherry shot the victim in his torso and right thigh.
EMS responded to the crime scene and rushed Joseph to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he died the following day.
“My office will continue to hold accountable those who choose to settle disputes with deadly weapons on our streets,” Katz said. “This defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter for causing the death of another individual last summer. He has now been sentenced to prison as punishment for his actions.”
Justice Pandit-Durant imposed a sentence of 18 years in prison to be followed by five years of post-release supervision.
