St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua talks with the press following plea deal in a Gouverneur murder case.

BY JIMMY LAWTON
North Country This Week

CANTON — Lashanna Charlton will face up to 20 years in prison for the killing of her daughter Treyanna Summerville in Gouverneur more than two years ago.

Charlton pled guilty to first-degree manslaughter after she allegedly hit her daughter with a hammer causing a wound that became infected and later led to death.

Under the agreement charges of second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and endangering the welfare of child were dismissed.

Charlton will also face supervision after she is released and will need to abide by an order of protection for a second juvenile victim.

St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua is confident the judge will sentence Charlton to the full 20 years and he believes the deal was in the best interest of bringing justice for Treyanna as well as the second-victim.

While Pasqua expects some criticism over the plea deal, he’s confident it was the best way forward for all parties involved.

Pasqua says the juvenile would have likely been forced to go through a trial process and that in discussions with the fathers of both victims the deal was universally agreed to be the best path forward.

Pasqua says making sure there was justice not only for Treyanna, but also the second victim was always the goal in this case.

Charlton was arrested on charges of second-degree manslaughter in July of 2020 but was released on bail not long after. She is living out of state, but Pasqua did not seek new bail conditions as she has attended all of her court appearances.

If Charlton fails to make her required court obligations or violates the order of protection prior to sentencing she would face 25 years in prison with up to 8 years supervision after release.

Summerville’s death gave rise to several protests in rallies and raised questions about the Department of Social Services handling of complaints. Summerville’s death also became the focus of local Black Lives Matter organizers who have called for justice on the matter.

Final sentencing is expected to take place Feb. 6.