Getaway driver sentenced to 28 years in 2014 murder

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man has been sentenced to 28 years at the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI) for a murder that took place in 2014.

Evan Watson, 34, was sentenced in Providence County Superior Court for the murder of Yusef A’Vant.

Watson plead guilty in 2016 to one count of second-degree murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder and one count of possession of a firearm without a license.

Watson’s co-defendant Thomas Mosely, 39, was found guilty in 2020 of one count of second-degree murder and one count of discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, resulting in death.

Mosely is serving life in prison.

A third man was also indicted in the case.

The murder occurred on April 13, 2014 when Watson drove Mosely to the victim’s place of a work, a barbershop in East Providence.

Mosely entered the shop and shot A’Vant and fled the scene with Watson.

A’Vant was transported to a local hospital where was later pronounced deceased.

“I hope this sentencing helps the victim’s family to continue to heal. I am grateful for the work of our detectives and officers, as well as the Attorney General’s Office, during the investigation and prosecution of this case,” said East Providence Police Chief Christopher Francesconi.