Lynn killer gets life

LAWRENCE – A 19-year-old Lynn man found guilty of shooting a man in the head during a gunfight last year was sentenced to life in state prison.Walter Clare, last known address of 14 Jewetts Court, Lynn, was convicted Thursday afternoon in Lawrence Superior Court of second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Jonathan “Jondo” Harris on Aug. 27, 2008.The 12-person jury deliberated for about four hours on Thursday before returning a lesser verdict of second-degree murder – an intentional killing done with malice – instead of first-degree premeditated murder initially charged against Clare by the state.Judge Richard E. Welch, III, immediately imposed the mandatory punishment of life in state prison. Clare will be eligible for parole after serving 15 years in state prison,However, Clare also was found guilty of carrying a firearm in connection with the case and given 30 months in the House of Correction, which is to begin upon his release from state prison.The mother of the victim, Ada Harris, formerly of Lynn, spoke following the verdict telling Welch about her loss and that her son would have become a father in October, but never got to see his first child.Assistant District Attorney Maureen Leal-Wilson presented evidence during the trial that began last week that the killing was a premeditated act, that Clare had chased down Harris, shot him in the head with a .38 caliber handgun and tried to shoot him a second time, but the gun misfired. Clare ran away and hid in an apartment on Quincy Avenue where he was later arrested.Harris, 24, who lived at 94 Kirtland St., Apt. 3, in Lynn, was found by police at about 7:30 p.m., lying on the sidewalk on Rogers Avenue with a bullet from a .38 caliber handgun in his forehead.Authorities believe Harris’ cousin had earlier told him that Clare had stolen $30 and several bags of marijuana that she was selling to him.Harris went looking for Clare and confronted him on Quincy Terrace. Harris reportedly shot one time at Clare from a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, but missed him.Clare began chasing Harris down the street, firing several shots at Harris as he fled. ne bullet fatally struck Harris in the head.Clare took the stand and admitted firing the gun, but said he was being shot at and defended himself under a combat situation.Shell casings were found by police along Quincy Terrace.When police arrested Clare, they discovered a black shirt and white shorts in his possession, the same clothing witnesses described that the shooter wore at the time of the incident.Clare was indicted by an Essex County grand jury in October of 2008 and has been held in custody without bail since his arrest. The judge credited him the 439 days he spent in custody awaiting trial.Clare was represented by Attorney Edward Hayden of Lynn.