QUEENS, NY — A Queens man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for fatally shooting 49-year-old Richard Carter outside a funeral in Jamaica earlier this year.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Joseph Gilbert Stevens, 34, of Jamaica, was sentenced on Friday.
He pleaded guilty in July to first-degree manslaughter and will also serve five years of post-release supervision.
According to prosecutors, on April 10 around 2:12 p.m., Stevens rode a Citi Bike to the intersection of Merrick Boulevard and Sayres Avenue to attend a funeral at Shekinah Youth Chapel, part of Greater Allen AME Cathedral.
After entering the service and approaching the casket, Stevens left the chapel.
About five minutes later, Stevens encountered Carter as he walked toward the chapel on Sayres Avenue.
Prosecutors said Stevens ran toward Carter and shot him four times at close range before fleeing the scene.
Carter was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his gunshot wounds. Stevens was arrested the following day.
"The defendant acted without consideration or respect for an entire community when he brazenly fired a gun outside a funeral and killed Richard Carter," District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
"Joseph Gilbert Stevens shot Carter at point-blank range and, after the victim collapsed onto the street behind the hearse, the defendant stood over the victim's body and continued to shoot him. We hope today's sentence provides a measure of comfort to the victim's friends and family."
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