A young man who was confronted by people after leaving a College Area house party (home pictured above in the 4800 block of Art Street) and fired a gunshot killing one man was sentenced June 29 to 14 years in state prison for voluntary manslaughter.
David Rasean Vereen, 23, was sentenced by San Diego Superior Court Judge Rachel Cano for his guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter in the June 25, 2022 death of Kevin Burton, 18. A murder charge was dropped.
Vereen was sworn in as a witness and was asked by the judge what happened to the firearm he used that night. He said it was destroyed.
Vereen said after he left the party, a number of people approached him, held a gun to his head and robbed him of his shoes off his feet. His attorney, Samantha Greene, said the group robbed him of jewelry and a designer belt with two guns pointed at him. Vereen said he was frightened and got into his car, but minutes later saw the people who robbed him while he was driving.
Greene said Vereen fired a shot in the direction of that vehicle, and that shot struck Burton, killing him. Police arrested Vereen a week later.
“That day always replays in my head,” said Vereen to the judge. “I’m not a murderer. I really am sorry for what happened.”
“I’m not a monster. I’m really not an evil person,” added Vereen. “It’s not good to be in jail, the way they treat you.”
Vereen’s mother, stepfather, and girlfriend attended the sentencing.
Greene asked that Vereen be recommended to participate in fire camp where certain inmates who are approved will be allowed to fight wildfires under supervision.
“I don’t normally recommend fire camp, but I will, given your age,” said Cano, adding that the decision is not up to her, but up to other officials.
“You’re still a young man. Take advantage of what is offered to you,” added Cano.
Deputy District Attorney Clay Biddle recommended the 14-year term which Vereen agreed to accept in the plea agreement. The sentence was structured to include 11 years for manslaughter plus three years for Vereen using a gun in the crime.
Biddle read a letter from the victim’s mother in the hearing in which she wrote “My life will never be the same. I won’t see him find the love of his life or see him become a father. Thankfully, no one else was killed,” added the victim’s mother.
Cano gave Vereen credit for serving 418 days in jail and fined him $1,270.
Court records show that four men were charged with robbery stemming from the incident after the party and three have already been sentenced. One remaining 19-year-old man will be sentenced on July 18.
Photo credit: Karen Austin
