YOUNGSTOWN A Youngstown woman charged in connection with a seven-year-old child's death has been found not guilty of the charges on Thursday afternoon.

31-year-old mother Marquaysha Driver was near tears moments after hearing the closing arguments in the case of her son's death. Two years ago, Driver's older son grabbed a loaded gun off a counter and fatally shot his brother.

While prosecutor Robert Andrews acknowledged it was a mistake, he asked the jury to set aside their sympathy for the mother and their thoughts about the potential punishment.

The jury found Driver not guilty in connection with the shooting death of Devonte Housely Jr. in Driver's home in October of 2023. Police initially described Housley's death as accidental, but an indictment later alleged that Driver was responsible for the death. She was charged with involuntary manslaughter, as well as four counts of endangering children.

Driver was charged in connection with the shooting death of Devonte Housely Jr. in Driver's home in October of 2023. Police initially described Housley's death as accidental, but an indictment later alleged that Driver was responsible for the death.

In the case, the prosecution told the jury that while they can sympathize with Driver, that sympathy, as well as the thought of her potential punishment, needs to be put aside when considering the facts of the case.

The prosecution argued that Driver had a duty to protect Housley, but that did not happen in this case because a loaded gun was left on the mantle, where Housley was able to access it and died from a gunshot wound.

The defense was up next, with attorney Frank Cassese conceding that Driver admitted that she was responsible for Housley's death, but that she was a mom trying the best she could under her circumstances and did not have any criminal intent.

"Does somebody need to be responsible for the death of a young boy? Absolutely. ... That doesn't mean she should be convicted of a crime," Cassese said.

Cassese also referenced the police report, which classified the shooting as accidental.

The prosecution fired back, saying no one is saying Driver should be hated or disrespected, but argued that her actions justified the charges against her.

The prosecution conceded that the shooting was accidental and that Driver did not purposely cause Housley's death, but argues that she knew of the risks of putting a gun up on the mantle and ignored them.

"I'm not saying she's a terrible person, but she made some decisions that led to the death of her son," the prosecution said.