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A Schenectady man, Jevoun Drake, 19, could spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to murder. Prosecutors revealed that Drake admitted to his involvement in the December 2023 shooting death of Usman Pirzada. The incident occurred when Drake and another man, Jose Amey, attempted to rob Pirzada of marijuana at the intersection of Steuben Street and Lincoln Avenue.
Drake, who was 18 at the time, confessed to panicking and firing a single shot that struck Pirzada in the head. According to the Schenectady County District Attorney's Office, Drake pulled the gun after Amey took marijuana from Pirzada. Amey has already pleaded guilty and faces a seven-year prison term followed by five years of post-release supervision.
Drake's sentencing is scheduled for February 25. Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney credited city police detective Aaron Zampella for his detailed interview with Drake, which led to Drake's confession and the recovery of the murder weapon. Carney stated, "Mr. Drake was forthright in admitting that he alone was responsible for the death of Mr. Pirzada."