PITTSBURGH — A Wilkinsburg man has pleaded guilty — and was immediately sentenced to state prison — in the 2013 triple shooting that killed 15-month-old Marcus White Jr.
Gregory Parker, 23, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and firearms violations on Monday.
The plea agreement included a 10 to 20 years term in state prison and he was immediately sentenced.
The child, who became known as Baby Marcus, was killed in a shooting during a picnic at a home in Pittsburgh’s East Hills neighborhood on May 21, 2013. He was 15 months old.
As the aunt of Baby Marcus was holding the child, shots rang out. She used her body to shield the child from the gunfire, but a bullet hit her in the back and went through her before hitting Marcus in the chest, killing him, police said. Baby Marcus’ other aunt who ran to help was also shot.
A second man, Desaun Watson, 29, was also charged. The charges against him are heading to county court after a preliminary hearing on Friday.
The mother of Baby Marcus spoke with WPXI on the phone Monday afternoon, saying she was in the courtroom today and was still trying to process what happened and isn’t ready to discuss how she feels just yet.
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