Jackson, of the 5100 block of South Union Avenue, was one of several Black P Stone gang members who had fought with rival Gangster Disciples earlier in the day and then returned to even the score, police said.

Lesean Jackson, 21, was convicted in a bench trial last month of first-degree murder in the October 2007 slaying of Arthur Jones in the 800 block of West Garfield Boulevard.

Jackson, of the 5100 block of South Union Avenue, was one of several Black P Stone gang members who had fought with rival Gangster Disciples earlier in the day and then returned to even the score, police said.

Arthur, who went by the nickname "AJ," was heading to a store nearby with his best friend after school to buy candy and soda when he heard shots ring out and tried to run, according to witnesses. He was shot in the neck and died later at a hospital.

Arthur's mother, Rita Perez, said in court the pain of her son's death is "deep inside my guts."

"He was the most caring, loving and the funniest person anyone would like to know," she said. "Not having him in my life is so sad. Missing his smile and his touch is unbearable."

Perez said she blamed gang violence for taking her son, despite her efforts to keep him safe.

"I tried so hard to be the best mother I could be — I know that his death has nothing to do with me," she said. "It all has to do with your evil and selfishness."

Steven McCaskill, 20, who handed Jackson the gun, pleaded guilty to murder in October 2010 and was sentenced to 20 years in prison, records show. A third defendant is awaiting a bench-trial verdict.

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