ST JAMES, Jamaica — A man who accidentally killed his best friend and then fled the scene in a panic has been sentenced to three years in prison.

A tearful Godfrey ‘Nico’ Brown learnt of his fate when he appeared before the St James Circuit Court last week. He was represented by attorneys-at-law Albert Morgan and Sherneika Jackson.

On April 20, Brown pleaded not guilty to murder, guilty to manslaughter, and guilty to illegal possession of firearm.

During the mitigation hearing last Thursday, Morgan emphasised Brown’s attributes and antecedents, highlighting that the only aggravating factor was his possession of an illegal firearm, which ultimately led to a fatality.

High Court Justice Judith Pusey subsequently sentenced Brown to three years, five months and two weeks in prison on the firearm charge and two years five months and two weeks in prison on the charge of manslaughter. The sentences will run concurrently so he will end up serving the longer term.

According to court documents, the shooting occurred on October 26, 2022.

It is alleged that 18-year-old Nicardo Grey of Cornwall Courts was on the road in front of a friend’s house at the complex when Brown, who had a firearm, went outside to greet him.

An explosion was heard and Brown was heard saying he never meant to shoot Grey and that he had been unaware that there was a bullet in the chamber of the gun.

Brown then fled the scene.

Shortly after, Grey was seen lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the right side of his face.

He was rushed to the Cornwall Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Brown later turned himself in to the police.