• Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove talks to members of the media following the sentencing of Johnny Oquendo on Monday, March 12, 2018, in Troy, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union) Photo: PAUL BUCKOWSKI / (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
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Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove talks to members of the media following the sentencing of Johnny Oquendo on Monday, March 12, 2018, in Troy, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove talks to members of the media following the sentencing of Johnny Oquendo on Monday, March 12, 2018, in Troy, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)
Photo: PAUL BUCKOWSKI
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Assistant District Attorney Andrew Botts speaks during the sentencing for Johnny Oquendo of Troy at the Rensselaer County Courthouse on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. Oquendo is convicted of killing his stepdaughter and dumping her body in the Hudson River. The judge granted a postponement until Monday so Oquendo could read over the pre-sentencing report. Oquendo is representing himself. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union) less
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Botts speaks during the sentencing for Johnny Oquendo of Troy at the Rensselaer County Courthouse on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in Troy, N.Y. Oquendo is convicted of killing his ... more
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TROY -- A 32-year-old city man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Rensselaer County Court to shooting a man in the abdomen last summer, District Attorney Joel E. Abelove said.

Jamel T. DeWitt of 2209 Old Sixth Ave. pleaded guilty to a single felony count of first-degree criminal use of a firearm. DeWitt admitted to firing the weapon on Aug. 23, 2017 in an alley between Church and Ferry streets and striking an unintended victim in the abdomen, Abelove said.  DeWitt was arrested by city police.

DeWitt will be sentenced May 23 by State Supreme Court Justice Andrew Ceresia to 17 years in state prison and five years post-release supervision. DeWitt is being sentenced as a repeat felon.

“Thanks to the swift work of the Troy Police, this violent felon has been convicted for his senseless and destructive actions," Ableove said. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the innocent victim of the defendant’s wanton crime.”

Assistant District Attorney Andrew T. Botts prosecuted the case.