POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Jaimez “Mezzy” Freeman, 20, has been sentenced to state prison for his role in the July 5, 2024, Main Street mass shooting that left four people injured, one of them with life-altering injuries.
Background of the Case
Initially charged with four counts of attempted murder, authorities believed Freeman was the primary gunman in the incident. However, during court proceedings, the charges were reduced after further evidence and negotiations. Freeman ultimately pleaded guilty in June to criminal possession of a weapon, a charge accepted before Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin.
The mass shooting, which shocked the Poughkeepsie community, unfolded late at night and resulted in chaos along Main Street. Among the victims was Giovonne Powers, who suffered gunshot wounds to the head and chest, leaving him with severe, permanent injuries.
The Sentence
On Friday, Judge McLoughlin handed Freeman a maximum of five and a half years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. The sentence aligns with the agreement reached between Freeman’s defense and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, which had committed to requesting no more than six years behind bars in exchange for the guilty plea.
Defense Perspective
Freeman’s attorney, Kelley Enderley, stated that her client accepted the plea deal as a fair resolution to the case.
“My client understands the weight of his actions that night, and he has learned from his mistakes,” Enderley said.
She emphasized that Freeman’s acceptance of responsibility was an important step toward closure for both him and the victims’ families.
Judge’s Remarks
Judge McLoughlin acknowledged receiving a letter from Freeman’s mother pleading for leniency, which he said he gave “tremendous consideration.” However, he underscored the profound impact the shooting had on the victims and the community.
“You could never understand the harm you have caused,” the judge told Freeman. “There were multiple victims, and one suffered injuries that are nothing short of devastating.”
Wider Case Context
Freeman is one of three defendants charged in connection with the mass shooting. Authorities have detailed the roles of each suspect and the legal proceedings against them, aiming to bring accountability for the violence that disrupted the city and endangered numerous lives.
The case continues to serve as a reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in Dutchess County and the wider Hudson Valley region, prompting renewed calls for stronger preventive measures and community-based interventions.
If you’d like, I can also rewrite this with more court drama detail and victim impact statements to make it read like a crime news feature rather than a straight news brief. That could help it stand out more for publication.
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