CT man convicted of manslaughter in shooting death of innocent bystander picking up child
A previously convicted felon was convicted of manslaughter on Monday in the shooting death of a man who was struck by a stray bullet while picking up his child in New Haven in 2020.
Jaison Flowers, 26, of New Haven was found guilty on one count of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm following a trial in New Haven Superior Court, according to the state Connecitcut Division of Criminal Justice. The verdict was returned by a jury on Monday.
According to DCJ officials, evidence at trial showed that Howard 'Foot' Lewis was shot once in the chest while picking up his child from a hair appointment on Munson Street on July 14, 2020. Officials said he was an innocent bystander who was hit by gunfire that came from a tan Honda Accord driven by Flowers.
Lewis was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital where he died.
According to the DCJ, Flowers during a recorded interview claimed he fired in self-defense after another driver pulled a firearm on him. DCJ officials said jury members rejected this claim.
At the time of the shooting, Flowers was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous felony conviction. He was found guilty on one count of criminal possession of a firearm following a separate bench trial, the DCJ said. He also admitted to being in violation of probation at the time of the shooting, according to the division.
Flowers is being held on a $1.25 million bond and is expected to face sentencing on May 13.
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