"Thank God," whispered the mother of 12-year-old Gywan Levine Jr. of Jersey City as the Newark man charged with fatally shooting him on the street in 2013 was found guilty of the boy's felony murder this afternoon and will face from 30 years to life in prison when sentenced on July 28.
JERSEY CITY -- "Thank God," whispered the mother of 12-year-old Gywan Levine Jr. as a Newark man was found guilty this afternoon of fatally shooting her son on a Jersey City street in 2013.
Farrarhd H. Gunter, 36, was convicted of felony murder and aggravated manslaughter of the Jersey City boy and he faces 30 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on July 28.
The jury took roughly one day to find Gunter guilty of the fatal shooting on Rutgers Avenue in Jersey City that occurred during a robbery on May 17, 2013. Gywan Jr.'s father, Gywan Levine Sr., 34, was also shot in the incident.
Gunter, who has 10 prior convictions and is on probation for a firearm offense, showed no emotion as the jury foreman pronounced his fate. The victim's mother, Fania Williams, bent over a courtroom bench sobbing among a dozen friends and family members.
"It felt excellent," she said later of the verdict. "(Gywan) was 12. He didn't deserve to die. But he is still gone and we have to live with that void. ... I feel like now he can rest. It's been a long three years."
Referring to Gunter -- who testified in his own defense that he wasn't involved in the robbery and shootings -- Gywan Jr.'s mother said "He took my child's life. I hope he feels some kind of guilt."
Gunter was also found guilty of the armed robbery of Levine Sr., who was shot in the leg. He was also convicted of crimes that occurred minutes later on Woodlawn Avenue, including the armed robbery of one man and the aggravated assault of a man who was also shot in the leg.
Finally, Gunter was convicted of firearm offenses. He was found not guilty of murder, but felony murder carries the same penalty. Felony murder is participating in a crime during which a person is killed, even if the defendant did not personally kill the person.
Janice S. Everett, 28, of Rahway and Shawn Harris, 36, of Irvington were also charged in the boy's homicide, but they pleaded guilty to lesser charges and agree to cooperate in Gunter's prosecution. Everett testified that Gunter admitted to the shootings two different times -- that night and then again the following day. Harris did not testify.
Everett faces up to 10 years in prison and Harris up to 20.
The three were arrested after one of them attempted to buy a pair of sneakers online using Everett's cell phone and one of Levine Sr.'s credit cards.
"We are gratified that the jury came to what we think is a just verdict," said Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Rinaldi, who tried the case. "Hopefully this helps bring closure to the family and sends a message that this kind of violent crime on the streets of Jersey City will not be tolerated."
The trial lasted about two weeks, and also included testimony from Levine Sr., who said he ran when he realized that he and other men he was with were being robbed. He testified that Gywan Jr. was playing basketball nearby.
"I'm relieved," said Gywan Levine Sr., 34, who seemed exhausted as he walked out of the prosecutor's office with his son, Amaad, 8, after the verdict was given. "We all have a lot of pressure off our shoulders. I'm looking forward to the sentencing date and once again justice will prevail."