Man charged in Albany murder case admits to having illegal gun

An Albany man facing trial in a murder case has admitted to possessing an illegal gun.

Eric Chapman, 19, pleaded guilty in Albany County Court on Friday to criminal possession of a weapon, tampering with physical evidence and resisting arrest.

This followed an incident on Oct. 5, 2023. Chapman ran away from police when they were trying to arrest him on a warrant.

Police found a weapon.

Chapman faces up to 19 years in prison when sentenced on April 7. He also could get another 15-year sentence from pleading guilty in a separate gun case earlier this month.

He is scheduled to go to trial on March 31 for his alleged role in the murder of Javone Sims Jr.

Chapman was one of the beneficiaries of the “Raise the Age.” His criminal history dates to when he was arrested at age 12 for showing a handgun at a mall.