Syracuse teen gets 2 to 6 years in jail in fatal sniper shooting

Syracuse teen sentenced in sniper killing

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A Syracuse teenager who falsely confessed to fatally shooting a neighbor has been sentenced to two to six years in state prison.

Sixteen-year-old Ja-Le Johnson admitted he lied to authorities when he claimed to have fired the shot that killed Casimir Snyder. The 47-year-old Snyder was shot in the neck Jan. 4 as he stepped out of his home.

Johnson pleaded guilty earlier this month to criminal facilitation and hindering prosecution. He was sentenced Monday.

He originally was charged with murder after telling police he fired the shot. But authorities said ballistics evidence did not match Johnson’s claim and they charged then-15-year-old Shawn Rhines with the killing.

Rhines pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is serving 10 years to life in prison.