The man admitted to holding the pistol when a fatal shot was fired at a young man in Jakobsberg, northwest of Stockholm, but claimed it was not intentional. Now, the 19-year-old has been acquitted of murder by the Svea Court of Appeal.
In the district court, he was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment for murder, but is now sentenced to six years' imprisonment for manslaughter, a serious offence.
The shot was fired during a physical confrontation between the two, and according to the Court of Appeal, it cannot be ruled out that it was unintentional. That it actually happened as the man described appears "practically possible", the court writes.
There are also several circumstances, according to the court, that speak against him having intended to kill, including the shot's placement and the fact that there was only one shot.
Three other individuals were also charged with murder. Just like in the district court, the Court of Appeal acquits them on that point.
According to the police, the incident is linked to conflicts between criminal networks.
