TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Topeka man has been acquitted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his best friend.
A Shawnee County jury on Thursday found 19-year-old Ernest Williams not guilty in Justice Mitchell’s death.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Mitchell died June 26 after being shot during an attempted robbery.
Investigators say Mitchell and Williams met 17-year-old Shayden Byrd and Lamero Dunstan at a Topeka fast-food restaurant for a drug deal.
Testimony indicated Dunstan pulled a gun and shot Mitchell twice. Williams also drew a gun but didn’t fire it.
Prosecutors contended Williams was guilty of murder because the death happened during a dangerous felony.
Byrd was sentenced to five years in a juvenile facility after pleading guilty to first-degree murder. Dunstan faces trial in August on first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery charges.
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Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com
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