Two men handed life sentences in 2014 death of festivalgoer
Two men whose brazen street dispute left an innocent young woman dead sat at the same table yesterday — separated only by their defense attorneys — when they learned they would both spend the rest of their lives behind bars.
A Suffolk Superior Court jury yesterday found Wesson Colas and Keith Williams guilty of firstdegree murder for Dawnn Jaffier’s 2014 death, as well as armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for a nonfatal injury to a surviving victim. Williams also was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm.
“We learned about Dawnn Jaffier through her family, her friends, and her work in the community,” Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said in a statement. “What we’ve seen is a light that still shines in their hearts and still reflects off the young lives she touched. I only hope that her loved ones can take some satisfaction that justice was done on her behalf.”
Colas and Williams were standing in two separate groups in the area of Blue Hill Avenue near McLellan Street — along the J’ouvert parade route of Boston’s Caribbean Festival — when Colas raised his gun at Williams’ group, prompting Williams to start shooting.
Jaffier, a vivacious 26-year-old, was hit in the head by one of the bullets. She died in her friend’s arms on Blue Hill Avenue. She had been walking with four friends to join in the carefree celebration.
“I’m grateful to see justice served in the senseless, tragic shooting death of Dawnn Jaffier,” Boston police Commissioner William B. Evans said in a statement. “While there is nothing to say to lessen the pain felt by those who loved her, I hope today’s convictions provide for them some small measure of comfort and closure.”
A cold wind whistled through a cracked window in the otherwise silent courtroom as the jurors exited after rendering their verdict. Defense attorney John Galvin, who represents Williams, put his hand on his client’s shoulder, and Colas hung his head.
“He’s managing,” Galvin said of Williams after the verdict. “It was a very difficult case — difficult for everyone — but he’s managing.”
Jaffier’s family and supporters hugged investigators and prosecutors who handled the case and went into a separate courtroom to digest the verdict. They declined to comment but plan to make victim impact statements during sentencing on Jan. 8.
Under Massachusetts law, those convicted of first-degree murder must be sentenced to life behind bars without the chance of parole. Colas and Williams also will have their cases automatically appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court.
While Colas did not fire the deadly shot, the fact that he chose to engage in a gun battle in which another person was killed was enough for murder under a 1997 Supreme Judicial Court decision.