The man accused of fatally shooting another man after an argument at a Metairie gas station has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Twenty-year-old Walter Sippio faced second-degree murder charges for the September 2021 killing of 36-year-old Dwayne Nosacka.
Witnesses said Sippio cut in front of Nosacka at a Chevron station on Clearview Parkway. The two got into an argument and deputies say Sippio shot and killed Nosacka.
The guilty plea means Sippio avoids a potential sentence of life without parole, and will instead serve 25 years.
Sippio was tried last year, but the jury deadlocked and Judge Donald "Chick" Foret declared a mistrial.
"In making the decision to allow the defendant to plea to manslaughter and 25 years, the District Attorney’s Office took into consideration the facts of this individual case, the defendant’s age and lack of criminal history," Assistant District Attorney Rachel Africk told the judge. "The defendant’s plea to manslaughter and 25 years ensures the family closure today, as well as prevents the witnesses to this event from having to testify again.
