Bess pleads guilty to manslaughter
Instead of facing a charge of murder, Ottley Hall resident Atiba Bess will now be sentenced for manslaughter, come June 15.{{more}}
On Friday, May 25, at the Criminal Assizes, Bess, who was initially charged with the murder of Sherene Clouden, pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter.
Clouden was killed on December 8, 2008.
Before sentencing is imposed, presiding judge, Frederick Bruce-Lyle ordered that a social inquiry report be furnished on or before June 13.
In addition to murder, Bess, 20, was charged with unlawfully discharging a firearm, unlawful use of a firearm, unlawfully discharging a firearm at Theron Prince, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an offence, possession of a firearm with intent to injure, possession of ammunition with intent to injure and wounding Jomo Brudy with intent.
He pleaded not guilty to all these charges and the prosecution, led by Ayanna Baptiste-Dabreo, said the crown was not offering any evidence on those counts.
On that tragic night, the deceased, 23, of Edinboro, went with Jomo Brudy and Theron Prince to the home of Carlos Franklin of Ottley Hall to put on lights at the house.
At the time, Franklin was incarcerated and Brudy was the caretaker of the house. When they were there, at about 6:30 p.m., a man accosted them as to why they were in the area.
The man said it was okay for Brudy to be there, but not Prince. He further said, âWe going hot up the placeâ.
After doing what they had to do at Franklinâs house, Brudy, Prince and Clouden were walking in the main road when Brudy and Clouden were shot. Clouden died on the spot.(KW)
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