Manslaughter admitted in 14-year-old’s death
FORT EDWARD — An 18-year-old Fort Ann resident charged in the shooting death of a 14year-old pleaded guilty to manslaughter Tuesday in Washington County Court, officials confirmed.
The 18-year-old was charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault, both felonies, for the Aug. 16 shooting death of Rycky Stark, as well as a separate misdemeanor sexual misconduct charge for an incident that occurred on the same day. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and sexual misconduct, District Attorney Tony Jordan confirmed Wednesday.
As part of a plea deal, the 18-year-old faces an indeterminate sentence ranging from 1⁄2 to 41⁄2 in
1 state prison to 3 to 9 years in prison. A previous plea deal that would have involved a broader range for sentencing was rejected last month, Jordan said.
A judge previously ruled the man, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, should be tried as an adolescent offender in the youth part of county court, meaning he would be tried the same as an adult. But Jordan said he could still be deemed a youthful offender upon sentencing — sealing his records and changing his sentencing range.
“That is a decision the court will make at sentencing,” he said.
The Times Union is not naming the man because he was 17 at the time of the shooting and could have his records sealed.
A call to the county public defender’s office was returned at this time.
Jordan said the manslaughter plea acknowledged the man recklessly caused the death of another person. But witness statements previously provided by prosecutors offer some details on what they say happened at the Fort Ann home where Stark was killed. One witness said Stark and the then-17year-old were arguing over gun etiquette when he tried to push the gun away. Another described the 17-year-old pointing a shotgun around the room and then at Stark before “the gun fired.”
The man is scheduled to be sentenced April 5. Jordan said it’s not yet known if Stark’s family will speak at the sentencing.