No jail time sought in teen’s death
ALTOONA (AP) – Prosecutors say they will not be seeking jail time for a Western Pennsylvania teenager accused in the shooting death of a 16-year-old friend.
Blair County prosecutors last week announced charges in the December shooting death of 16-year-old Jesse McElhinney of Altoona. Relatives said McElhinney was shot in the temple after his friend brought over a .38-caliber handgun
Prosecutors said the unnamed friend, who is now 18, faces charges including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and theft, but he is being charged as a juvenile.
Assistant District Attorney Wade Kagarise told The (Altoona) Mirror that “incarceration would not be a possibility.” He said the victim’s family supported a lesser punishment.
The victim’s grandfather, Dean Sprankle, plans to appear at hearings to call for leniency for his grandson’s friend.