Syracuse, N.Y. — A man sentenced Tuesday for shooting a man and leaving him in a car trunk said very little at his sentencing but did apologize to the dead man’s family.
“I’m regretful for what happened,” said Gamalier Lacen-Medina, 44, through an interpreter. Lacen-Medina was sentenced to 17 years in prison for the killing of Edwin DeJesus, 40.
Lacen-Medina shot DeJesus and then left him in the trunk of a Honda Civic parked outside the Parkside Commons apartment complex at 102 Croly St. on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.
“If there is a family member of the victim, I would like to apologize to that family member,” he said. “It’s in God’s hands.”
Assistant District Attorney Jarrett Woodfork spoke on behalf of DeJesus’ aunt in Puerto Rico.
“She’s grateful we were able to get justice for her nephew,” Woodfork said. “She hopes he’s learned from what he’s done.”
Lacen-Medina was originally charged with second-degree murder but was indicted on a manslaughter charge as a result of the proposed plea agreement.
He almost changed his mind on the deal.
On Dec. 1, Lacen-Medina was set to accept the plea but then told his attorneys he felt it was a bad deal.
Judge Ted Limpert told Lacen-Medina that he was receiving advice from “jailhouse lawyers” making him doubt his experienced team of lawyers who Limpert described as some of the best.
On Tuesday Limpert asked Lacen-Medina if he was satisfied with his lawyers before the sentencing began. He was, and the plea deal went through.
Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or [email protected].
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