BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. — Exactly one year after Asaun Moreland, 15, was shot and killed in Ambridge, one of the teens involved in his death pleaded guilty to third-degree murder.
>> Juvenile dead after shooting in Ambridge; SWAT called after suspects flee
Nasean Hunt, 19, admitted to his role in Asaun’s murder in court on Tuesday.
“Just keep saying his name. That’s all we can do, just keep saying his name, Ace,” said Darryl Dixon, who is Asaun Moreland’s uncle.
Dixon is just one of Asaun’s family members that filled the courtroom in Beaver.
“It’s tough, we miss him. He was always a joy to have around. Just miss him a lot,” Dixon said.
Justice isn’t the right word for them as they watched Hunt admit to his role in Moreland’s death and plead guilty.
“In this case, we are certain the evidence is going to show that the other actor was, in fact, the gunman and Mr. Hunt who pled today gun never fired,” said Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible.
Now the District Attorney’s Office is putting its resources into the trial for who they believe is the gunman, Nyeheame Kirksey, who was arrested this spring as Hunt’s co-defendant.
Hunt was sentenced to 15 to 40 years in prison with another federal gun charge still pending.
Is that enough time?
Moreland’s family told Channel 11 in their eyes it’s not as Hunt never even addressed them in court or apologized for his role. But they do understand and now look towards Kirksey’s trial this fall.
“Just tells you the type of person that he is, he didn’t care. But we care about Ace and that’s why we are here. We love him,” Dixon said.
The family held a balloon release at Asaun’s gravesite as they remember and honor him one year after his death.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW