A Greensboro man has been convicted on charges related to the shooting of a man in Gastonia in 2023.

Jaquail Donaven Alston, 31, pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of a firearm by a felon and admitted his status as a habitual felon. Charges of attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury were dismissed as part of his plea deal.

Alston came under investigation on Nov. 22, 2023, after then-31-year-old Marquese Watson was shot at about 9:20 p.m. on May Street in Gastonia, according to a police report.

Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Hamlin said in Gaston Superior Court that the shooting occurred in the middle of the street. Watson had been hanging out with coworkers prior to the shooting and called a relative to ask fo

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