A 19-year-old arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a Bradenton teen who worked and played sports on Anna Maria Island has pleaded no contest to manslaughter with a firearm.
Carter Thomas Layne of Parrish is now set for a sentencing hearing at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
Layne pleaded no contest July 18 to manslaughter in the death of J.M. Feeney, 17, of Bradenton, on March 8, 2024, in a residential backyard in the 5900 block of Eighth Avenue Drive West in Bradenton.
Feeney worked at the Beach House Restaurant in Bradenton Beach and played sports at the Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria, where the field was named J.M. Feeney Sports Park earlier this year.
A July 23 vigil for J.M. Feeney, scheduled before Layne’s plea when a trial was on the docket, was postponed due to inclement weather and tentatively rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 30 outside the judicial center.
A probable cause affidavit from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office states that witnesses observed Layne, under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, waving a revolver that he said was not loaded.
“The victim … in joking manner said the gun was not loaded. Carter Layne pointed the gun at the victim’s chest and pulled the trigger. … The victim fell to the ground,” the MCSO report states.
Layne was 17 when arrested but charged as an adult with the first-degree felony.
After entering his no contest plea, his bond was revoked. He was being held at the Manatee County jail in Palmetto as of Islander press time.