> He acknowledged being at the crime scene, but said he was at a nearby shop buying beer when the gunshots rang out.

> Mr Dixon said multiple witnesses could have testified he did not fire the gun.

Sounds like some weasely words to me. He was clearly involved in the crime even if he didn't pull the trigger.

Whether he was an up and coming drug dealer, or not, or had possession of an illegal firearm, he didn't deserve to be incarcerated for that many years if he didn't pull the trigger. I wonder if he had a relationship to the victim or a vendetta of some sort as well. There was mention it was over a dispute about a girl.