Kelly Friday sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter in uncle’s killing

Kelly Friday, who was found guilty on manslaughter over a month ago, has been sent to prison to spend 12 years.

The 29-year-old was convicted in relation to the death of his uncle, Selwyn Mannix.

The incident, which took place on September 11, 2021, at Point Wharf, was the focal point of a trial where Friday consistently maintained his innocence, citing self-defence.

Throughout the proceedings, his defence attorneys, Wendel Alexander and Wayne Marsh, advocated for his acquittal.

According to testimony presented during the trial, Friday and his uncle became embroiled in an altercation over an alleged $50 debt owed by the accused.

Mannix confronted Friday, wielding a seven-foot-long wattle stick, and proceeded to strike him.

In response, Friday defended himself by stabbing his uncle six times across various parts of his body.

Following the altercation, Friday sustained injuries including a swollen head, a thigh injury, and a broken hand.

Meanwhile, Mannix suffered stab wounds to his chest, abdomen, back, thigh, and hand, with one of the wounds resulting in a cardiac tamponade, ultimately leading to his death.

Despite the severity of the incident, a jury determined that Friday was not guilty of murder but rather of manslaughter, considering the provocation he faced from his uncle.

This verdict spared him from the possibility of a life sentence.