Sarasota, FL – Nyquan Priester has been found guilty of manslaughter and discharging a firearm from a vehicle in connection with a fatal shooting at Ackerman Park in December 2021. The six-person jury delivered the verdict on Thursday, and Priester now faces a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison. The shooting resulted in the death of 18-year-old Dylan Jenkins, a promising athlete and graduate of Riverview High School.
During the trial, three witnesses, Sa’tayvia Monix, Cameille Homer-Cunningham, and Kalvion Turner, took the stand and provided consistent testimonies about what occurred on the night of the shooting. They all claimed to have heard Priester state, “I’m gonna air this b**** out,” before firing multiple shots into a crowd of around 50 people. The witnesses recounted their arrival at the party, the positioning of the car, and the events leading up to the shooting.
The defense attorney, Omar Abdelghany, attempted to undermine the credibility of the witnesses by highlighting their close relationships with one another and their prior history of lying to the police. However, the jury ultimately found their testimonies to be persuasive and convicting.
The trial also revealed that Priester had fled after the shooting and was later apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service in Utica, New York. Additionally, web searches from Priester’s phone indicated his knowledge of bench warrants and his intention to evade law enforcement.
In the defense’s case, Abdelghany called three witnesses, including Homer-Cunningham’s former boyfriend and an individual who had a previous altercation with Turner. The defense aimed to challenge the witnesses’ testimonies by questioning their recollections and suggesting alternative scenarios.
Abdelghany focused his closing arguments on the issue of credibility, emphasizing the inconsistencies and motives of the state’s witnesses. He also argued that Priester’s decision to flee was based on fear and a lack of trust in the police.
The sentencing hearing will determine the punishment Priester will face for his crimes. This case highlights the tragic consequences of gun violence and the importance of reliable witness testimony in criminal proceedings.
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