🔨 Manslaughter convict dodges gun possession charges

Eric Brian Williams Soto, who was recently convicted of manslaughter in the 2022 shooting death of Harry Elliott, was acquitted of illegal gun charges in relation to a separate incident. The defense argued that the prosecution had failed to provide evidence proving Soto had possession or control of a gun found in a car he had rented. The judge agreed, stating that being the renter of the car did not amount to possession and control necessary for a finding of the offence of possession of a firearm. As a result, she directed the jury to find Soto not guilty of the charges. 🔍

Soto and his accomplice, Justin Kyle Jackson, were arrested in April 2022 for gun possession after a police chase. The handgun was recovered from the car, but there was no forensic evidence linking Soto to it. Jackson later pleaded guilty to possessing the firearm. Despite his acquittal on the gun charges, Soto remains in custody as he awaits sentencing for the manslaughter of Elliott. 🚔