Court of Appeal gives three 12-year terms in fatal Defiance shooting

The Court of Appeal sentenced three men to 12 years in prison each on Monday 19 October for jointly committing manslaughter and illegal firearm possession in a fatal shooting outside the Gentlemen’s Club in Defiance. The court said time each defendant spent in pre-trial detention will be deducted from the sentences.

The shooting happened on 13 April 2025 after a confrontation linked to allegations over a stolen chain and missing car parts, according to the Court of Appeal. The court found the three defendants fired at the victim within about 30 seconds and acted in close, coordinated cooperation.

The court said it could not determine which shot caused the victim’s death, but found that each defendant made a significant contribution to the attack. It rejected self-defence arguments, finding that the defendants initiated and carried out the attack.

The Court of First Instance had sentenced two defendants to eight years each for attempted manslaughter and illegal firearm possession. A third defendant was acquitted of attempted manslaughter and sentenced to three years for illegal firearm possession. On appeal, the Court of Appeal found all three guilty of jointly committing manslaughter.

In setting the sentences, the Court of Appeal considered the defendants’ young ages and lack of previous convictions for similar offences, as well as the fatal shooting and danger to bystanders at a public location.