In a somber conclusion to a violent chapter in Lynn's history, two men implicated in a deadly shooting that shook the community nearly six years ago received their sentences today. According to the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, Rogelleo Morrison, 49, and Kenneil Hammond, 37, both from Lynn, entered guilty pleas in Superior Court, Salem, acknowledging their roles in the homicide that took place during a basketball tournament at the Warren Street playground on August 24, 2019.
The fatal shooting claimed the life of 34-year-old Boston resident Brandon Jesurum, and left two bystanders injured with wounds that were fortunately not life-threatening. Morrison, in an altercation involving his son which Jesurum pulled out a gun at Morrison’s home the day before the shooting, pled guilty to manslaughter, assault and battery with a firearm, and armed assault with intent to murder. For his crimes, he has been handed a sentence of 13 to 15 years in state prison by the Hon. Thomas Drechsler.
Hammond received a slightly lesser sentence of 11 to 13 years in state prison after pleading to similar charges as Morrison – manslaughter, two counts of assault and battery with a firearm, and two counts of armed assault with intent to murder. The sentences were delivered against a backdrop of legal arguments and representation, with Maria Markos and Jessica Strasnick prosecuting, and Rosemary and Nicole Scapicchio defending Morrison, while Victoria Kelleher defended Hammond.
In delivering the sentences, Judge Drechsler lamented the turn of events, suggesting the defendants erred greatly in their attempts to take the law into their own hands. "Attempting to take the law into one's own hands is not a good idea," Drechsler told the defendants, calling the playground shooting a "tragic and unfortunate event," echoing a sentiment felt by the affected community and as reported by the Essex County District Attorney's Office.
