Garfield Sanderson had been arrested in connection with the May 3, 2014 killing of Jeliel Kingston of Bridgeport after a fight at the Mambo Cafe on Elm Street in Danbury, police said. Kingston had been found at 2 a.m. lying on the sidewalk, and later died at Danbury Hospital from gunshot wounds to his arms and torso. Sanderson was arrested nine days later.
Related story: Bridgeport man charged with murder in fatal shooting in Danbury
The News Times reported that Sanderson and Kingston were members of rival gangs that had attended a concert at the nightclub before a fight broke out that spilled out into the streets. During the course of the trial, which was delayed several times, prosecutors presented witnesses and evidence that they said connected Sanderson to the gun used to kill Kingston, according to the News Times. Defense attorneys argued that Sanderson acted in self defense, the News Times reported.
Though Sanderson was found not guilty of murder, the jury did find him guilty of first-degree manslaughter with a firearm, according to the News Times.
Click here to read the News Times story.
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