One of two men charged in connection with the shooting death of Chevin Burgess, whose badly charred body was found inside an abandoned burning vehicle, was offered a plea deal that requires him to serve a 25-year prison sentence and cooperate with the state against his co-defendant.
Joeryan Foreman
Joeryan Foreman, 20, charged with counts of murder, arson, robbery and weapons offenses, would be required to admit guilt to a reduced charge of aggravated manslaughter after authorities said he helped alleged triggerman Calier Samad, 27, dispose of the body.
As a part of the plea bargain, Foreman would also receive nine years for aggravated arson, which would run concurrently to the sentence imposed on the manslaughter charge, Assistant Prosecutor James Scott said during a status hearing Monday.
Samad, who prosecutors said has been offered a 30-year prison term for murder, shot Burgess once in the head during a botched robbery, authorities said, before he and Foreman drove to the 100 block of Hart Avenue and torched the car on the night of Jan. 4, 2014.
Authorities used a phone number Foreman provided to staff during a hospital visit to connect him to the crime after the same number appeared in Burgess’ call logs some time before the murder, Scott said.
Foreman had checked into a local hospital on the night of the murder after he sustained burns on his hands and face authorities believe happened when he tossed lighted matchbook into the car, Scott said.
Burgess, 22, was discovered after firefighters extinguished the flames inside the car. He was burned beyond recognition and had to be identified by dental records, authorities have said.
Foreman, who is being held in jail in lieu of $600,000 bail, is expected back in court May 26. Samad remains jailed on $1 million bail. His next court appearance was not immediately available.