Arnold man latest to be sentenced in 2022 New Kensington shooting

An Arnold man was sentenced Monday to 18 to 36 months in a state prison followed by five years of probation in connection with a 2022 fatal shooting in New Kensington.

Jonathan E. Felder, 19, was ordered to spend five years on probation after the prison term. Prosecutors agreed to terminate probation after three years if Felder follows the terms of the sentence, according to a court order.

Felder pleaded guilty in February to a count of conspiracy to commit robbery. He was one of seven youths charged in what prosecutors described as a melee in the lobby of the Valley Court Royal Apartments. Jason Raiford, 39, was gunned down July 3, 2022, as he stepped out of the building.

Felder was among the group who police said surrounded Raiford and demanded money for a drug debt before he was pistol-whipped and shot 11 times, including multiple rounds to his back as he lay on the ground.

Prosecutors dismissed several more serious felony counts against Felder, including homicide, robbery and aggravated assault.

His attorney previously said Felder didn’t have a gun and tried to get away during the shooting.

Felder was 17 when he was jailed following his arrest. He was given credit for time served since July 6, 2022.

Cases against the other co-defendants either resulted in trials or plea deals. Amir Kennedy, 16, of New Kensington was convicted of first-degree murder and other offenses following a weeklong trial in December. He was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison.

He and 16-year-old Braedon Dickinson of Connellsville have been the only defendants convicted of Raiford’s murder. Dickinson pleaded guilty in juvenile court to third-degree murder.

Elijah Gary, 20, and DaMontae Brooks, 17, both of New Kensington, were acquitted of murder charges but convicted of lesser charges including robbery and conspiracy counts. Gary was sentenced to 10 to 20 years and Brooks to eight to 16 years in prison.

Avian Molter, 16, of Pittsburgh is awaiting sentencing April 25 after pleading guilty in February to conspiracy to commit robbery and a weapons offense.

Raquan Carpenter, 20, of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault this month. He is awaiting sentencing. Carpenter was the lone suspect to testify for prosecutors at the December trial.