Jackson

NEW HAVEN >> After a prosecutor reported Friday that the state’s lone witness had recanted her allegations against Lawrence Easterling III in the shooting death of Devaante Jackson, a judge dismissed the charge of murder.

Superior Court Judge Patrick J. Clifford also dismissed the other pending charges in the case: carrying a pistol without a permit and illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.

Although Easterling, 20, of 294 Eastern St., still faces four pending cases unrelated to the murder, he had previously posted the $50,000 bond for them and so was able to walk out of the courthouse Friday with his relieved family. He had been held in lieu of a $650,000 bail on the murder charge.

“Justice has prevailed,” said Easterling’s father, Lawrence Easterling Jr., who was in court with three other family members.

Read more at the New Haven Register.

Read more about how Devaante Jackson's will remember him.