GUNMAN ADMITS TO, APOLOGIZES FOR SHOOTING THAT TOOK A LIFE April 13, 2009 As his trial was set to begin, a 24-year-old Dorchester man pleaded guilty to shooting his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend to death during an armed altercation, then apologized to the victim’s family for the heartbreak he had caused them, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced today. RYAN GILLESPIE (D.O.B. 8/28/83) of Dorchester pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, a charge lesser than the second-degree murder charge for which he was indicted last year, and unlawful possession of a firearm. After accepting Gillespie’s guilty plea, Superior Court Judge Thomas Connolly sentenced him to a term of 12 to 14 years in state prison. Gillespie admitted to firing the shot that killed 23-year-old Joseph Clarke outside a Norton Street baby shower in the early morning hours of Jan. 6, 2008. Had the case proceeded to trial, Suffolk prosecutors would have introduced evidence and testimony to show that Clarke and his girlfriend – with whom Gillespie was once romantically involved – attended that baby shower, as did the defendant. Prosecutors would have shown that Clarke left the shower at some point, then returned to get a ride from his girlfriend. When she walked outside to meet Clarke, the evidence would have shown, Gillespie followed them. In a confrontation outside, investigators believe, Clarke said that he didn’t come to the party looking for trouble. Gillespie nonetheless produced a firearm, as did Clarke. The two men fired on one another. Clarke was struck in the head and died of his injuries; Gillespie was not hit. Prior to sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Mark Hallal told the court that Gillespie had no prior record before the incident, and that Clarke’s family wanted Gillespie to take responsibility for his actions by admitting his guilt. Seven family members, including the victim’s mother and grandmother, spoke passionately of the loss they suffered after their loved one’s death. “Joe was a really, really good brother,” his younger sister said. “He really looked after me. He was really family-oriented.” “I was hurt having to go to the hospital,” she continued. “Seeing my brother – his head was really swollen; something so small – a bullet – took his life. Life is so fragile.” An older sister spoke next. “Joe was very loved by family, he was loved by friends; he was loved by many. He was the glue for everyone…he connected our family,” she said. “His murder took a major toll on me; my mother lost her son on her birthday, my children lost their uncle, “she said. “You took our brother from us, but I am at peace knowing that he’s at rest.” Addressing the defendant, she continued, “I hope you find peace for the whole time you are incarcerated. Thanks to God and His mercy – I send the same mercy to you. I hope you never make such a decision like that again. I have no comfort in the whole thing; I can only hope that one day I will be able to see my brother again.” The victim’s grandmother also addressed the defendant, noting their shared Jamaican heritage, before telling him, “I am so sorry to see the end of this. For a young man like you to go behind bars – I am deeply, deeply sorry for you,” she said. Speaking of her grandson, she continued. “I didn’t want Joe to die,” she said. “Now there is no one to dance with me on my birthday. He was the first to wish anyone a happy birthday. He was such a lovely boy.” Speaking last, the victim’s mother walked up to the witness stand, holding a framed photo of a T-shirt she had worn with her son’s photo printed on it when she participated in the Mother’s Walk for Peace. “Ryan – I forgive you,” she said to the defendant. “You have taken someone very special away from me.” Clarke’s mother described how in the early morning hours of January 6, her cell phone rang, and when she answered, it was her son Joseph calling to wish her a happy birthday. “He shouted ‘Happy birthday, Mom! Am I the first one to call you and wish you a happy birthday?’” she told the court. “Two hours later, my daughters came into the room and they said ‘Something happened to Joe. He was shot.’” Addressing the defendant, she said, “You took someone very special over something very silly – a girl; there are many girls. My family has forgiven you; I have raised my children to be kind and forgiving,” she said. “I hope you don’t take it lightly. Remember that you have taken a life and you don’t want to go that way again. As my mother said: I hate the horrible act you did, but you the person, I cannot hate.” After hearing the family’s statements, the defendant stood up and addressed the victim’s family, and also various members of his own family who were in attendance in the courtroom. “I am sorry to the victim’s family; I know the family is a good family. And I am sorry to my family as well,” Gillespie said. “But for two guns and the willingness to use them, this could have been a shouting match,” Conley said. “Instead, one young man is dead, another will grow to middle age in prison, and two families mourn what could have been. The result is simply tragic.” Gillespie surrendered to Boston Police on Jan. 10, 2008, after homicide detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was represented by attorney Rudolph Miller. Return to the Press Releases page.