CLAYTON COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Divonte Lester could not hold back the tears Tuesday as a Clayton County Judge denied bond in his case.
Lester has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and tampering with evidence.
Police said Saturday night Lester shot and killed 20-year-old Quinn Keevon Heckstall at an apartment complex in Jonesboro.
Lester said he was playing with a gun when it went off, but Heckstall's family does not believe Lester's story.
"God is telling me it is not an accident. Friends don't do that to friends. It's not an accident," said Quinn Heckstall, Keevon's father. "Guns are taken out to be used for one reason, so there is no such thing as playing with guns. My son is gone for playing with a gun, so you tell me if that is an accident?"
Family members said Keevon Heckstall was a good young man.
"Keevon deserved to live. Keevon was loved. We embraced Keevon and he was valued. To see his life devalued in such a manner is disgusting and we don't appreciate it," said Ivory Cloud, Keevon Heckstall's aunt.
"Guns do not do anything but destroy. That is all they are made for is to destroy things and my grandson was destroyed by carelessness," said Cornelius Heckstall, Keevon Heckstall's grandfather.
Heckstall's family said it's committed to changing a culture of destruction and carelessness.
"We will fight, we will be at every event, every court appearance, every anti-violence appearance just for my nephew's honor," Cloud said.
Lester is due back in court Oct. 9.
Copyright 2012 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
Photo: Quinn Keevon Heckstall
Divonte Lester
