A Suffolk Superior Court jury today convicted Joseph Cousin, 25, of second-degree murder for gunning down 10-year-old Trina Persad in 2002, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.
Cousin faces a mandatory life term when sentenced tomorrow for the death of Persad - shot to death in a gang feud she had nothing to do with in Jermaine Goffigan Park - itself named for a young boy shot to death in a gang feud he had nothing to do with. However, because Cousin was convicted of second-degree murder rather than first degree, he will be eligible for parole in 15 years.
"We hope this verdict provides Trina’s family with some satisfaction that justice has finally been done on her behalf," District Attorney Dan Conley said.
Cousin went on trial in 2004 for her murder, but a mistrial was declared after prosecutors learned several jurors had lied about their criminal records. Fellow alleged gang member Marquis Nelson was found innocent by a jury also containing several members with criminal records.
It's taken this long to get Cousin a new trial in part because he appealed efforts all the way up to the Supreme Judicial Court, which ruled in 2007 he could be tried again.
Prosecutors charge Cousin was a member of the MIC gang, named for its turf on Magnolia and Intervale streets and Columbia Road, and that he was gunning for members of the Big Head Boyz out of Brunswick, Creston and Fayston streets, in retaliation for a shooting on their turf.
Prosecutors say Trina was at the park with her two younger siblings and an adult family friend - who tried to rush them out of the park when she saw guys in a car start arguing with some guys at a park basketball court.
Two of Cousin's fellow gang members - and two members of the rival Big Head Boyz - testified against him.
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