Ansonia man who made rap video about Derby homicide sentenced to 48 years

ANSONIA, Conn. (WTNH) — A 28-year-old Ansonia man who killed a man in 2017 and then made a rap video about it will spend 48 years in prison.

Jacob “Jewla” Freeman was convicted of killed 21-year-old Jajuan Benavides in August 2017 in Derby.

A year and a half later, Freeman was arrested after a jailhouse informant told police that he admitted to the crime. Freeman allegedly said that he wore a mask when he shot Benavides, saw him and then “stood over him and let him have it.” Freeman also made a rap video a month after the killing where he gave details about the crime.

“Essentially this was an assassination,” Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Marc Durso said, according to a written announcement. “No amount of time is enough to bring Jajuan back, but this is a life sentence his family has to live with, and I think the penalty should reflect the equivalent for Mr. Freeman.”

A dozen witnesses testified against Freeman during the trial. The jury deliberated for less than a day. During sentencing, the judge called the crime “calculated” and “cold,” describing it as an execution, according to a written announcement.

Freeman will follow his sentence with five years of special parole.

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