(Milford, CT) - Margaret E. Kelley, Ansonia/Milford Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced that Rhameir Bush, age 29, of Ansonia, pleaded guilty today to Conspiracy to Commit Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §§53a-48/53-54a. The plea in the Superior Court of Milford was before the Honorable Kevin S. Russo.
Bush’s plea stems from the shooting death of Jajuan Benavides, age 21, by Jacob “Jewla” Freeman on Anson Street in Derby on August 11, 2017. Surveillance footage, as well as call detail records, determined that on August 10, 2017, around 11:30 p.m., Freeman and Bush were in the area of Anson and 6th Streets and interacted with the victim. Freeman and Bush were subsequently seen leaving the area around 11:55 p.m.
Evidence showed that on August 11, 2017, at about 1:48 a.m., a dark Jeep Grand Cherokee, operated by Bush, dropped off Freeman who was in a mask and dressed in all black. Video surveillance footage showed Bush walking down Sixth Street to the corner at Anson Street and looking down Anson Street moments before the shooting. Freeman subsequently chased Benavides down Anson Street and shot him three times.
About a year and a half after the fatal shooting, a jailhouse witness provided numerous details regarding the murder, including that Freeman told him that he returned to the Anson Street area masked up and pulled his gun out on the victim and shot at him. The witness told investigators that Freeman told him he shot the victim, "stood over him and let him have it,” and watched as he fell to the ground. Freeman told the witness that the victim was saying "chill Jewla chill." The witness said Freeman was wearing black pants, a black hoodie and a mask at the time of the crime. The witness also indicated to investigators that Freeman was with a person he knew by the name “YB,” later determined to be Bush.
In a subsequent interview with Bush, he was shown stills from the video surveillance on the night of the shooting. Bush identified himself at the corner of Anson and Sixth Street moments before the shooting.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2025 in Milford Superior Court where Bush is set to receive 20 years suspended after 14 years served, followed by 5 years of probation.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Durso and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Tatiana Messina, with the assistance of Inspector Herbert Johnson, Inspector Butch Hyatt and Paralegal Chelsea Meehan.