All PoconosB2B, News, Classified and all about life in Poconos
  

Read News

Pocono News Section

Gang Member Sentenced to Life for Contract Killing

Gang Member Sentenced to Life for Contract Killing - Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 6:15PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 @ 06:15pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- Jeffrey Future of Scranton pleaded guilty to first degree murder. He was then immediately sentenced.

Around 9:30 Tuesday morning, Jeffrey Future said he didn't want to plead guilty and wanted a trial. After talking to his lawyer, about two hours later he changed his mind and apologized to the family of his victims and this entire community.

Security was tight both inside and outside the Lackawanna County Courthouse. SWAT members armed with guns were on alert as 26-year-old Jeffrey Future pleaded guilty to first degree murder.

Future admitted to shooting and killing rival gang member Allan Fernandez. Defense Lawyer Jim Elliott said, ÒIt was either a life sentence or death and the plea agreement had him -- they took the death penalty off the table and this preserved his life."

The family of Allen Fernandez was in court. They were too upset to speak after the plea.

Assistant District Attorney Gene Talerico said, ÒAllan's mom did not have a great deal of time to spend with him before his death. She was ill and recuperating and he had just been released from prison and was making his way back into the community."

Before the judge Future apologized for his crime and admitted gangs are lurking in the community and are attractive. He said, ÒI myself was a victim of psychological trickery.Ó

He also sent a warning to parents. ÒIf you do have kids, be more mindful of who they're around,Ó he told the court.

ÒThis act, this crime, rocked this community. ItÕs something that folks had talked about. Now, we were privy to seeing it and knowing that it existed here," addedTalerico.

Future's brother Tonie Future and Christian Keynon were also charged in the gang murder. They're both awaiting trial. Future's mother Barbara left quickly after the plea.

That plea prosecutors say was a coordinated effort. Assistant District Attorney Jen McCambridge said, ÒFrom day one, we've had the cooperation of state police, local police agencies, the sheriff's office, federal agencies and without that cooperation, we wouldn't have gotten to this point."

Because of Jeffrey Future's guilty plea, prosecutors say the death penalty is now also off the table for his brother Tonie. Prosecutors say all of the suspects had ties to the Bloods gang.
 


Discuss this news

Your Name (nickname):
Your Email: (will remain private)
Your Comments:
  


Home | News | Businesses | PA places | Classified | Cars for Sale | Account | Products | Home Recipes | Manuals | Stock Images | Earn Commissions | Advertise | Contact Us | Search
Raw Hack

© 2024 AllPoconos.Com All rights reserved.