Rejected Man Found Guilty in Murder of Childhood Friend

Boston, MA- A Mattapan man has been found guilty of second-degree murder for the 2012 shooting of childhood friend Keosha Gilmore because, prosecutors argued, she did not reciprocate his romantic advances.

Christopher Jackson, 29, was convicted of second-degree murder by a Suffolk Superior Court jury Thursday. He was also convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm.

Prosecutors said Gilmore, 25, was sitting in the passenger seat of a parked car with another man when she was shot twice through the car window. Jackson was "angry that his childhood friend Gilmore did not share his romantic feelings," Assistant District Attorney Mark Zanini argued.

One bullet struck Gilmore in the head, mortally wounding her; the second went through her arm and into her chest.

Boston Police recovered the murder weapon, latex gloves, and other items at New Calvary Cemetery, where prosecutors said Jackson had attempted to hide them. He was later connected to the discarded items through DNA evidence.

In an interview with police, Jackson allegedly admitted he had discarded the items and “made the mistake of letting my anger overshadow my intelligence.”

The mandatory sentence for second-degree murder is life in prison with the option of parole.