A jury in a New York court on Thursday found a 33-year-old man guilty of the death of Jamaican lawyer Carey Gabay, a former legal aide to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo during the Caribbean J’ouvert celebration on Labor Day 2015.
Although prosecutors had argued for a murder conviction, jurors in the Brooklyn Supreme Court instead reached a second-degree manslaughter conviction against Kenny Bazile.
The Brooklyn, New York resident was also found guilty of criminal possessions of a weapon.
Cuomo said Gabay, 43, the first deputy general counsel at a state economic development agency, “was an inspiring public servant whose life was cut short by senseless gun violence.
“I hope this guilty verdict gives them [Gabay’s family] some comfort that justice has been served,” he said in a statement.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez told Gabay’s family: “Our hearts go out to you. I know today’s verdict was difficult.
“But he was held responsible, and we’re going to make sure that the next set of defendants are also held accountable,” Gonzalez assured.
Sam Karliner, Bazile’s lawyer said his client faces up to 15 years in jail on the involuntary manslaughter charge, when he is sentenced on September 12.
He, however, said he will appeal Bazile’s conviction.
