No5 barrister Andrew Wallace appeared for the defence in a trial which saw a man acquitted of murder after shooting his friend with a gun which he did not know was loaded.
A jury cleared Jordan Bassett, 25, of murder following a trial at Warwick Crown Court. He had already pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The court heard that Addison Packeer was shot at ‘point-blank’ range by Bassett as they sat in a flat in Chepstow Close, Willenhall, in December 2018. Bassett handed himself in three days after the killing.
Bassett, of Tintagel Close in Willenhall, also admitted possession of a firearm and was convicted of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
The court heard that Bassett tried to stem the flow of blood before going to a quarry in Willenhall to throw the gun and magazine into the water. Police found a 9mm Luger pistol and a magazine containing a bullet after Bassett directed them to the location.
At Warwickshire Justice Centre, Bassett was jailed for 18 years with an extended five-year period on licence.
To read more about the case visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-48773079
