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Man with gun kills man with knife, gets 30 years for manslaughter

Man with gun kills man with knife, gets 30 years for manslaughter
Posted at 4:37 PM, May 10, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-10 16:38:20-04

A Baltimore man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for shooting and killing another man who was brandishing a knife.

Avon Dominic Byrd was convicted of voluntary manslaugher, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

On April 28, 2017, Byrd and Laacosta Beverly were at the home of Tanish Evans and Andrew Terrell, hanging out and drinking until early the next morning. Around 4:30 a.m. Terrell began arguing with his girlfriend, Evans. Terrell was told to leave, and did, before returning to the home and continuing to fight with Evans.

At nearly 5 a.m., Terrell was told to leave and did so, before returning again. Evans also told Byrd to leave. When Terrell returned to the house, he began banging on the door and produced a knife. Evans told him to leave, and Terrell walked up the street still holding the knife. Terrell again turned back to the house, this time engaging Byrd in his path. Terrell then lifted the knife, to which Byrd took a step back and shot Terrell twice, once in the abdomen and once in the upper back, killing him. 

Jurors did not convict Byrd of second degree murder, but did find him guilty of manslaughter. Jurors thought Byrd did not need to use deadly force since he had easy access to avenues of retreat. 

“Mr. Terrell’s life did not have to be taken so casually. It all could have been avoided had the individuals in this unfortunate incident been able to de-escalate the situation,” said State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. “While a life was lost and friendships have likely been severed, I pray that those impacted by this case are able to heal now that this case has concluded.”