Man Gets Life In Prison For Deadly Shooting On W. Philadelphia Basketball Court
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A tough two-on-two pick-up basketball game at the Shepard playground in West Philadelphia in 2009 led to murder. The victim's family left the courtroom with justice and a precious keepsake after the 17-year-old shooter was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Jarrett Green, 23, was gunned down in front of his brother Malcolm, 19, who described the shooting in a Philadelphia courtroom.
Prosecutor Gwenn Cujdik says the basketball loving brothers were challenged to a game by two other younger men -- defendant Michael Felder was a sore loser. He pulled a gun from a bag, hit Malcolm and then fired four times at Jarrett as he took a step to help his brother.
"Heartbreaking is probably the best word I could describe having to witness his brother under those circumstances, his best friend. He talked about how he was hysterical afterward."
Cujdik says Malcolm Green was too emotional to be in court for the verdict but he had a request. He wanted his brother's basketball which was used as evidence from that day.
The boys' mother, too upset to talk, walked from court clutching that well-worn and bloodstained ball.
