Rock Hill man shot 5 times in gunfight. The other man died. Jury says manslaughter.
A Rock Hill man shot five times in a 2021 gunfight with another man who died has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after a jury convicted him of voluntary manslaughter.
Rayquan Jamal Steele, 30, faced murder and other charges during a three-day trial in York County criminal court in the death of Yorel Milton at a Celanese Road apartment complex.
The jury found him guilty of manslaughter and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to prosecutors and court records. Steele was found not guilty of domestic violence.
Steele faced a maximum of 35 years for both convictions. Visiting Judge Keith Kelly sentenced Steele to 25 years for the manslaughter conviction with a concurrent sentence for the gun charge.
Both victim and defendant were shot
Prosecutors argued Milton, 22, was defending himself in September 2021 when he shot Steele five times after Steele went to an apartment armed, said 16th Circuit Assistant Deputy Solicitor Chris Epting. A child belonging to Steele and a woman were also at the apartment, Epting said.
Steele shot Milton in the chest, killing him, Epting said.
“We thank the jury for delivering a verdict that delivers justice to Mr. Milton’s family,” Epting said after the trial.
Epting and Senior Assistant Solicitor Marina Hamilton prosecuted the case.
Hamilton said afterward Milton’s killing was a senseless act of violence.
Defendant claimed self-defense
Steele was wounded in the legs but survived and was arrested the day after the shooting, lawyers in the case said.
Steele testified during the trial and claimed he shot Milton in self-defense, prosecutors and his lawyer said.
Steele’s lawyer, Geoff Dunn of Rock Hill, said after the trial he respects the jury system but is disappointed with the verdict. Steele, who had no previous criminal record, plans to appeal the convictions, Dunn said.
