Teen accused of killing Harding football player sentenced to more than 3 years in jail

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A high school student will spend more than three years in jail after being accused of killing one of his best friends in what he said was a terrible accident.

Thursday, 17-year-old Jermarion Worthy pleaded guilty to killing 18-year-old Jamie Bright.

"The defendant told police that he was ready to fire with his finger on the trigger, but lowered his gun because Jamie was nearby and didn't know how it went off," the defense said.

The defense claims the shooting was an accident.

Channel 9 was told Worthy and Bright had just come from playing basketball when the two decided to smoke marijuana.

Officials said Worthy claims they began hallucinating in the moments before he pulled the trigger, killing Bright with one shot.

"Jamarion has expressed profound regret for what happened. It wasn't something that he intended, but he has said all along he will accept responsibility for this," the defense said.

Worthy pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, in addition to obstruction of justice.

The state claims Worthy lied to police about how he first got the gun and then tried hiding it after the shooting.

"He should not have had the gun. He acknowledged that and this is the terrible consequence," the defense said.

The state said Bright's mother did not agree with the decision to file involuntary manslaughter charges in the case. Instead, officials said she wanted second degree murder charges.

(Jamie Bright)

The attorneys explained the charge would be hard to prove.

The judge sentenced Worthy to more than three years in jail. The judge also accepted a request that Worthy remain in jail to complete a diploma program that he is currently enrolled in.

In addition to the jail sentence, the defense also asked Worthy be given a mental evaluation and counseling as he continues to deal with the trauma of killing his best friend.

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