PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 40-year-old North Philadelphia man will spend at least 18 years in prison for shooting his best friend in a van, then dumping his body on City Avenue by St. Joseph’s University.
Tyreese Quinerley was convicted in Montgomery County in March 2024 of third-degree murder, avoiding first-degree murder and a mandatory life sentence, as his lawyer argued he had smoked so much PCP the night he shot and killed 39-year-old Jefferson Shackford, that Quinerley was unable to form an intent to kill, which is a requirement for the more serious murder charge.
Quinerley is seen in a video pulling Shackford from the passenger seat of a van on City Avenue near Cardinal Avenue. When police pulled up, Quinerley told them Shackford fell out of the van, then said he didn’t know Shackford, but found him lying along the street.
Prosecutors argued Quinerley’s actions showed consciousness of guilt. At the sentencing, they asked for the maximum of 25-50 years in prison.
On the night of the shooting, Quinerley was allowed to drive away because police didn’t realize Shackford was shot until paramedics cut off his shirt and jacket. Detectives found shell casings in the van two days later.
Quinerley is sentenced to 18-40 years in state prison.