SUPERIOR COURT
The careless mishandling of a rifle by a Jones County man resulted in the death of his friend, a guilty plea and a sentence of seven years.
De’Vante Jakari Ross was in Jones County Superior Court Sept. 21 to enter his plea for the offense of involuntary manslaughter. He received seven years for the offense of involuntary manslaughter with the first 222 days to be served in confinement. The remainder of the sentence is to be served on probation, and Ross is to receive credit for time served in custody from the date of his arrest, May 18.
Superior Court Judge Stephen Bradley accepted the guilty plea.
Ross, 19, was indicted for the shooting death of his 25-year-old friend, Zachery Morris, who was also his roommate, June 6 by a Jones County Grand Jury.
Ross was arrested following the May 18 shooting and charged with reckless conduct in addition to the involuntary manslaughter charge. A story about the shooting death in The Jones County News stated that the lead investigator in the case, Jones County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Kenny Gleaton, said he got a call about 3 p.m. the day of the shooting in reference to a man being shot at a mobile home park on Joycliff Road.
Gleaton said EMS was dispatched, and the victim was inside the residence. He said both Ross and the victim lived at the residence. The investigator said medical personnel attempted to resuscitate the victim, but Morris was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Gleaton said Ross told him that he was handling a .22 caliber rifle and thought it was unloaded.
Ross told him that he aimed the rifle at his friend and pulled the trigger.
Gleaton said the bullet struck the victim in the torso. He said Ross called 911 and ran to a neighbor for help.
The lieutenant said, when officers arrived, the scene was locked down and search warrants processed. Ross was taken into custody at the scene.
Gleaton said the case amounted to the extremely careless handling of a firearm and a disregard for the most basic safety procedure.
He said it appeared the victim and the shooter were good friends, and there was no indication there was any malice or ill will between them.
The investigator went on to say that Ross was distraught and accepted responsibility. He said it was clearly an accident, but due to the total disregard for safety, the charges are warranted.
