Nassau Man Pleads Guilty To Killing 12-Year-Old Girl

A Hempstead man pleaded guilty on Friday to manslaughter in the 2015 death of a 12-year-old girl.

On Oct. 16, 2015 around 5 p.m., 22-year-old Jakwan Keller, who was 20 at the time, was driving down Dartmouth Street in Hempstead. He fired a single shot from a gun that entered the home of 12-year-old Dejah Joyner, striking her in the head as she sat in the living room. She was taken to Winthrop Hospital in critical condition and

died the next day.

“This defendant’s unconscionable recklessness stole the life of an innocent child, Dejah Joyner,” Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a statement. “Our condolences are with Dejah’s family, friends, and the entire Hempstead community.”

Nassau police, with the help of the Hempstead Police Department, launched an intensive investigation and arrested Keller on Jan. 10, 2016.

Keller pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. He is due back in court for sentencing on April 10, and the DA says he is expected to get five to 15 years in prison.

Photo: Nassau County District Attorney's Office