BOSTON, Nov. 27, 2012—A Suffolk Superior Court jury late today found two Dorchester men guilty of their roles in the 2010 shooting death of Toneika Jones, 24, in the foyer of a Dorchester apartment building, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
Jurors deliberated for about a day and a half before convicting KADEEM FOREMAN (D.O.B. 8/6/89) guilty of second-degree murder for shooting Jones to death. Jurors also convicted him of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and firearms offenses for the non-fatal shooting of a second victim who survived his injuries. Jurors also convicted TERRELL RAINEY (D.O.B. 8/14/89) of involuntary manslaughter for his role in the slaying, but acquitted him of firearms offenses and charges related to the second victim.
Both men will be sentenced tomorrow morning in courtroom 817 of Suffolk Superior Court. Foreman faces a mandatory life term.
“This was a deeply challenging case, but one we pursued relentlessly for Ms. Jones and her family,” Conley said. “In the midst of trial, they observed their third Thanksgiving with an empty seat at the table. We can only hope they take some comfort knowing that police and prosecutors worked together, hand in hand, to find justice on their behalf. We also note that the jury here clearly weighed the evidence thoughtfully, giving it their full attention and consideration.”
During 10 days of testimony, Assistant District Attorneys Mark Zanini and Nicholas Walsh introduced evidence and testimony proving that Foreman opened fire on Jones and the second victim, a 19-year-old man, as they stood in the foyer of 183 Harvard St. just before 1:15 a.m. on May 22, 2010. Prosecutors also proved that Rainey participated in the homicide as well.
Jones ran up a flight of stairs inside the building and collapsed on the second floor. She was transported to Boston Medical Center, where she died of a fatal gunshot wound to her abdomen. The second victim was shot in the arm and survived. He did not identify his assailants.
A Boston Police officer conducting unrelated surveillance nearby heard the gunfire and spotted two men backing away from the scene. He saw the taller of the two – now identified as Foreman – fire at least one more shot into the foyer before turning and running with the second man.
The officer gave chase, first in his marked cruiser and then on foot. Additional officers raced to the scene and began searching for the suspects as well. Within five minutes of the shooting, both Foreman and Rainey were apprehended as they tried to hide behind some trees in an empty lot on Gleason Street.
A search of the area soon turned up a .38 caliber revolver and a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun at separate locations along the defendants’ path of flight. Ballistics comparisons showed that both guns had been fired at the victims. A third firearm – the one that fired the shots that struck the victims – was never recovered.
Michael Schultz was the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate on the case. Foreman and Rainey were represented by attorneys Michael Doolin and Stephen Weymouth, respectively.
–30–
All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
