A mistrial has been declared on murder and assault charges in the case of a 19-year-old accused of killing another New Haven teen last year, but he was found guilty of a weapons charge, according to the New Haven Superior Court clerk's office.
Jeffrey Covington was charged April 16, 2014 with murder, first-degree assault and discharging a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit in the shooting death of Taijhon Washington, 17, of New Haven. Washington was shot and killed near an elementary school in the area of Butler and Lilac streets. The shooting also critically injured his 16-year-old half-brother.
Both teens were found lying on the sidewalk near Lincoln Bassett Elementary School.
Covington, who had pleaded not guilty of the charges, was convicted for carrying a pistol without a permit on Monday. A mistrial was declared for the murder and assault involving the discharge of a firearm charges.
The cause of Taijhon Washington's death was determined to be gunshots to the chest, according to the affidavit.
As police investigated, they received a tip about Covington bragging about being responsible for the homicide, according to the affidavit. The documents also say there had been a history of issues because the suspect and his friends and the victims.
According to one statement police received, Covington said one of the victims had snitched on him.
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Police arrested Covington and picked him up on an outstanding probation violation warrant.
When Covington initially spoke with police, he denied any involvement in the shootings or being near the scene at all.
He said he learned about the shooting after watching the news, but admitted to having a problem with one of his family members, according to court documents.
Covington is being held in custody on a $2 million bond. The date of his sentencing was not immediately available.
