2 CHARGED IN MURDER

Two 17-year-olds have been arrested by Watertown police in the Saturday night robbery-motivated shooting in a State Street apartment of a man who, according to his cousin, “was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Jireh Di'Shon Finney, of 717 State St., was charged early Monday with second-degree murder and attempted first-degree robbery in the death of Ronald F. Gowing, 42. Watertown City Judge James C. Harberson sent him to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building without bail and scheduled a preliminary hearing for 1:30 p.m. Friday.

On Monday afternoon, Tyler Van Lewis, 111 State Place, was arrested on the same charges. He also was jailed without bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. Friday in City Court.

Finney is represented by the county public defender's office. Because of a possible conflict of interest for the county public defender, attorney John W. Hallett was assigned to represent Lewis.

As Finney was being led by police out of the Watertown Municipal Building following his arraignment, he did not respond to comments directed at him by relatives of the murder victim. But when he was escorted to the building before arraignment, he was heard to say, “I didn't do it.”

Police declined to say who was the trigger man in the 8:36 p.m. shooting Saturday at 715 State St., nor would they confirm if a third suspect is being sought. Initial reports Saturday indicated two or three people were involved in the home invasion.

Lt. Frank J. Derrigo did say, however, that the investigation is continuing, with detectives still conducting interviews. He declined to say what led to Finney's arrest.

The gun allegedly used in the murder, a 9 mm rifle according to a police document, was seized for evidence Sunday, the lieutenant said. No vehicle has been described to aid police in the investigation, he said.

Finney was taken into custody Sunday evening when officers saw him walking on State Street, Lt. Derrigo said. Following questioning, Finney was charged about 2 a.m. in the murder, police said.

Finney also was arrested by city police in January, charged with second-degree menacing. He was accused of threatening his uncle, Alonzo C. King, 33, with a 12-inch kitchen knife. Then a resident of 470 VanDuzee St., Apt. B, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of harassment, and was sentenced on Feb. 26 to the 41 days he had spent in jail awaiting the case disposition, according to City Court.

Lewis also has a menacing arrest on his city police record. In September 2008 he was accused of threatening Sydne N. Lee. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

Finney is a dropout from the general equivalency diploma program at Watertown High School, according to Terry N. Fralick, district superintendent. He had stopped attending sessions, conducted at the school following the close of regular school hours, a few weeks ago, Mr. Fralick said.

Lewis dropped out of school in May because of high absenteeism, Mr. Fralick said.

Donald Pitcher, Sackets Harbor, was among relatives of Mr. Gowing who attended Finney's arraignment. He said Mr. Gowing was at the apartment because of a recent domestic problem for which he had been arrested earlier in the week. Mr. Gowing was arrested early Thursday after city police said he repeatedly punched Margaret Y. Lolar-Cusson, 43, in the face and head. He was charged with third-degree assault and unlawful possession of marijuana.

The shooting was not linked to Mr. Gowing's domestic situation, Mr. Pitcher said.

The gunmen had come to rob a resident of the apartment, Robert J. Dalton, 23, Mr. Pitcher said, and were not gunning for Mr. Gowing. Court documents prepared by police allege that Finney acted “in concert with one or more individuals” when they “intentionally attempted to forcibly steal property, that being money,” from Mr. Dalton.

Mr. Pitcher and other family members expressed their appreciation for city police making the arrest.

“He was a devoted father and a hard worker, one of the best Sheetrockers around here,” Mr. Pitcher said. “He was ready to start a job with me.”