A man has admitted to killing a Schenectady man in a marijuana robbery one year ago.

Jevoun Drake, 19, pleaded guilty in Schenectady County Court on Monday to second-degree murder for causing the death of Usman Pirzada on Dec. 19, 2023.

Drake and an accomplice, 19-year-old Jose Amey, went to the area of Steuben Street and Lincoln Avenue with the intention of robbing Pirzada, according to the Schenectady District Attorney’s Office.  

Amey had arranged the meeting under the pretense of purchasing marijuana. Pirzada was in the backseat of the car when Drake and Amey approached the vehicle. Drake pulled out a 9mm and shot him in the head, prosecutors said.  

With the help of video footage, Drake was arrested later that night and Amey the following day.

Drake agreed to accept a sentence of 19 years to life in prison as part of the plea deal. He will be sentenced on Feb. 25.

Amey previously pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery. He is set to receive a sentence of 7 years in prison.

“Although both young men planned this robbery, murder was not a part of their plan. Mr. Brake said he panicked and pulled the trigger when Mr. Pirzada grabbed for the gun,” said Schenectady County District Attorney Bob Carney. “Both of these young men expressed remorse for their actions. This case is yet another sad example of the tragic consequences of young men arming themselves to commit crime.”