The man who fatally shot 21-year-old Steven Jones in the course of a fistfight that Jones was trying to break up pleaded guilty on Monday as his trial was set to begin, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.
Pablo Flores, Jr. (D.O.B. 2/17/93) of Charlestown pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. He was initially charged with second-degree murder. At the recommendation of Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Walsh, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Charles Hely sentenced Flores to eight to 12 years in prison followed by three years of probation.
Had the case proceeded to trial, Walsh would have presented evidence and testimony to prove that shortly after 10:00 p.m. on May 7, 2013, Flores became involved in a physical altercation with another man outside his Monument Street residence. Jones and his friend, who were both unarmed, attempted to intervene. As they did, Flores pulled out a firearm and fired multiple shots. Jones was struck in the chest and abdomen and died of his injuries at the scene.
Flores pointed the gun at Jones’ friend and a female witness before fleeing the area. A warrant charging him with murder was issued the following day, and Boston Police found him hiding at a Dorchester residence four months later.
In front of a courtroom packed with Jones’ family and friends, his mother delivered an impact statement and recalled her son as a champion of the underdog who was beloved by all around him.
“Love will override, because Steven loved, his friends loved, his community loved. That love, Steven knew that love,” she told the court.
Jillian Quigley was the DA’s assigned victim witness advocate. Flores was represented by Jeffrey Karp.