Current:Home > StocksWhite man convicted of killing Black Muslim freed after judge orders new trial-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
White man convicted of killing Black Muslim freed after judge orders new trial
View Date:2024-12-24 00:34:19
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A white man from Maine who was convicted of manslaughter for shooting his sister’s Black boyfriend in 2019 was released on bail Friday after a judge ordered a new trial, sparking confusion and outrage from the victim’s family.
Mark Cardilli Jr. says he killed Isahak Muse in self-defense during a confrontation that escalated after Muse refused to leave the Cadilli family’s home when asked by the parents. Cadilli was 24 at the time, and Muse was 22.
A judge ruled this week that attorneys for Cadilli failed to “vigorously argue” the self-defense claim during the trial. His lawyers included an attorney who’s now a district judge.
The attorney general’s office vowed Friday to appeal the judge’s decision that vacated the conviction and ordered a new trial. In the meantime, a judge set bail at $20,000 for Cardilli and he was released Friday.
The shooting created tension in Portland’s Muslim community, with some calling it a hate crime by a white man against a Black Muslim.
In a statement, Muse’s sister said she was heartbroken that Cardilli was released after serving less than half of a 7 1/2-year prison sentence.
“We are devastated and shocked to hear of this decision and can not understand how we could lose my little brother, but Cardilli will get to walk around free,” Asli Muse said. “He took my brother’s life, and was convicted of this. It is not fair that he barely served any time and can just walk away from it all. We can’t get my brother back.”
Cardilli, now 28, was originally charged with murder, but he was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter.
The confrontation happened when the 22-year-old Muse, who was dating Cardilli’s 17-year-old sister but was barred by her bail conditions from being in her presence, refused to leave the family’s Portland home at the request of her parents, witnesses testified. Pandemonium broke out, and Cardilli retrieved a handgun from his room.
Cardilli said he was assaulted by Muse, backed against a wall and in fear for his life when he fired three times with one bullet grazing Muse and two bullets hitting Muse, who died at the scene.
veryGood! (66)
Related
- New York races to revive Manhattan tolls intended to fight traffic before Trump can block them
- Oregon leads College Football Playoff rankings with SEC dominating top 25
- Trump likely to target climate measures that are making the most difference
- Tori Spelling Awkwardly Reminds Brian Austin Green They Had Sex
- Horoscopes Today, November 9, 2024
- Kamala Harris Breaks Silence After Donald Trump Is Elected President
- Tre'Davious White trade grades: How did Rams, Ravens fare in deal?
- AP Race Call: Clark wins Massachusetts U.S. House District 5
- Jeep slashes 2025 Grand Cherokee prices
- 2 police officers are shot and injured at Kentucky mental health center
Ranking
- Florida education officials report hundreds of books pulled from school libraries
- 76ers star Joel Embiid suspended 3 games by NBA for shoving reporter
- Pregnant Francesca Farago Shares Glimpse Into “Baby Moon Bliss” With Jesse Sullivan
- Chauncy Glover, Emmy-winning LA TV anchor, dies at 39: Reports
- Skai Jackson announces pregnancy with first child: 'My heart is so full!'
- Wisconsin turnout in presidential race nears 73%
- 2 police officers are shot and injured at Kentucky mental health center
- 15 homes evacuated as crews battle another wildfire in New Jersey
Recommendation
-
Climate Advocacy Groups Say They’re Ready for Trump 2.0
-
Bruce Springsteen visits Jeremy Allen White on set of biopic 'Deliver Me from Nowhere'
-
West Virginia voter, ACLU file lawsuit after Democrat state senate candidate left off ballot
-
Sherrone Moore's first year is starting to resemble Jim Harbaugh's worst
-
Colts' Kenny Moore II ridicules team's effort in loss to Bills
-
AP Race Call: Pressley wins Massachusetts U.S. House District 7
-
Barry Keoghan says he's 'not an absent father' after parenting criticism: 'It sickens me'
-
Jason Kelce Shares What He Regrets Most About Phone-Smashing Incident