Michael Mathis, the 3rd man who was accused following the mass shooting on Genesee Street was found not guilty Thursday on all counts, including three counts of first degree murder. It was the 4th trial in the case.
Spectrum News notes that Mathis had spent nearly one and a half years behind bars at the Monroe County jail, but walked out Thursday a free man.
Meeting him in the street was Jalen Everett, who was acquitted in his 2nd trial earlier this year, after his initial conviction was tossed.
In August 2015, shots were fired from a car passing by a crowd of people who had just left a basketball game at the Boys and Girls Club.
Raekwon Manigault, Jonah Barley and Johnny Johnson died, while four other people were injured.
Mathis and Everett were accused of riding in that car with Johnny Blackshell Jr., who was convicted of three counts of first degree murder. Blackshell is currently serving a life sentence.
Mayor Lovely Warren says we have to abide by the justice system, but she knows how much these shootings have impacted the community.
“He was tried by a jury of his peers and was acquitted; my heart goes out to the victims families, I know that this has been a trying time for them and we’re praying for them every day, when you lose a loved one in this way," Warren told reporters outside her office on Thursday.
The Boys and Girls Club issued a statement on Thursday:
As the second anniversary of the terrible tragedy draws near, Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester will continue to stand with the families impacted by this horrific event and will continue to provide services to the community to assist in the healing process. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester will remain a safe haven for many young members of the community and neither the incident nor the verdict will change our mission in any way.
