Williamsport, Pa. — A mother allegedly drove her 17-year-old child to the parking lot of TGI Friday’s on March 2 at the request of her other minor child, according to testimony given Tuesday afternoon in Williamsport.
Johneice Francin Legare, 42, of Williamsport took the 17-year-old, dressed in a black hoodie with a mask, to the restaurant. He allegedly pulled a gun and shot 15-year-old Ahmeen Palmer in the head. Legare then reportedly drove the shooter and his brother to Philadelphia that night.
As they traveled, all three ditched their cell phones along with the murder weapon, according to Lycoming District Attorney Tom Marino.
The 13-year-old, who was called as a witness by both the prosecution and defense, is with family in Philadelphia. The 17-year-old shooter remains at large, Marino said.
“I’m not a flight risk,” Legare told Linhardt. “I’m willing to cooperate.”
For the first time since Legare was charged, details of the shooting that claimed Palmer's life were given to the courtroom during her bail hearing on Tuesday, including:
Two weeks before the shooting, Palmer allegedly slapped the 13-year-old. Angry over being hit, the child called Legare when he saw Palmer at TGI Friday’s that night, according to Marino.
“He’s here,” the minor child told his mother.
Legare drove the 17-year-old to the parking lot to confront the victim, Marino added. At one point, Legare allegedly told the victim we’re “going to settle this one-on-one.”
The juvenile fired five shots with at least one going into Palmer's head, according to Marino. Palmer was transported by ambulance to UMPC Williamsport where he died later that night.
“We have to get out of Williamsport,” Legare allegedly told both children after the shooting. She then told the children that they weren’t coming back to Williamsport, Marino said.
“She intended to get her son out of the crime scene,” Marino told Linhardt. “She was involved in this.”
Legare was apprehended on March 6 by U.S. Marshals at her father’s home in Philadelphia.
Previous charges against Legare were dropped during a hearing in March.
Legare is being charged with six felonies and five misdemeanors, according to Marino. The most serious of the charges is conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.
Legare, the mother of both juveniles, was given $250,000 good bail if she wants to be released after a ruling by Judge Eric Linhardt.
As part of her release conditions, she is to have no contact with witnesses, victims, or suspects in the shooting. She will also have to wear an electric ankle monitor and remain in Lycoming County if released.
Legare's attorney said there are dates in June reserved for her preliminary hearing.
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