NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A man will serve five years in prison for the fatal shooting of a teenaged boy.
In August, Albert James Sutton, 28, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and recklessly handling a firearm after he accidentally shot and killed a teenaged boy while showing off his gun to a group of children last year.
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State sentencing guidelines called for an active prison sentence no longer than three years and one month because Sutton did not have a criminal history. However, the Commonwealth argued for a longer sentence of five years. Sutton’s attorneys argued that he has been diagnosed with learning disabilities and erroneously taught himself how to handle his firearm by watching online videos.
“The death of Amir Burnett was not just a tragic accident; it was also a crime,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “The criminal negligence Mr. Sutton engaged in cost a child his life and a family their child, and it caused other children to see a friend die. Had Mr. Sutton stayed and helped his victim, he would likely have received a lighter sentence. Fleeing the scene and leaving another child to call 911 showed that, in that moment where adults are meant to help children in need, Mr. Sutton chose to help himself. I hope that this sentence will offer some closure to Amir’s family. Unfortunately, nothing will bring him back.”