Judge delivers verdict in Forbes Avenue shooting

Less than a minute of surveillance video clearly shows the events that led up to the fatal shooting of Zach Sheridan. But before Judge Jeffrey Manning ruled on the case, he said he had to consider the defendant’s state of mind, something a video alone could not illustrate.

“What is certain is that the defendant brought a pistol to a fist fight, a fist fight in which there was almost certainly a consumption of a significant amount of alcohol,” Manning said before he gave his verdict Monday.

Manning found Isiah Smith, 23, guilty of voluntary manslaughter in an Allegheny County court Monday. Manning delivered not guilty verdicts on charges of first- and third-degree murder. He said he would not give a verdict on an additional charge of involuntary manslaughter, having already ruled on the voluntary manslaughter charge. Sentencing in the case is scheduled for July 2. Smith could face a sentence of up to 20 years.

Smith was charged with shooting Zachary Sheridan, 24, shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 3 last year after a fight started between their respective groups of friends near the intersection of Forbes Avenue and South Bouquet Street.

Surveilance cameras near the scene of the shooting caught the incident, and Manning said the video evidence was key to the case.

The video shows Sheridan punching Smith. It also shows Sheridan striking a woman before Smith produces a handgun, according to Manning. Two seconds later, while Sheridan is running away, Smith fires.

“It all occurred in 44.6 seconds, all in the twinkling of an eye,” Manning said.

Although the video showed the events of the shooting, Manning added he would have to consider what Smith and others involved were thinking at the time.

He said his conclusions about their states of mind were based on testimonies from Smith and other witnesses.

Smith had testified previously during the trial that he was acting in self-defense.

Manning said the law stipulates that a defendant must reasonably believe he or she is in danger for a self-defense plea to hold merit.

The judge said he was convinced Smith felt threatened, but added this belief was not reasonable. Sheridan was fleeing by the time he fired.

Manning added that he thought Smith didn’t realize he had harmed Sheridan. In the footage, Smith and his companions calmly walk away shortly after he fires.

While Manning said Smith’s actions were reckless, he said Smith acted in the heat of the moment, rather than through premeditation or with intent to kill.

Manning said he also recognized Smith had no prior record of violent or criminal behavior, that he had a carry permit for his gun and that witnesses had spoken about his good character.

Aaron Sontz, a public defender representing Smith, did not immediately respond comment Monday.