A Springfield man has been acquitted of murder charges, but was found guilty of lesser charges in the death of a local tavern owner.
28-year-old Dalton McDermott had been charged with first-degree murder for an altercation on New Year’s Eve 2021 at Parkway Pub in Springfield. During that incident, the bar’s owner, 80-year-old Angelo Manci, Jr. was knocked to the ground. He died two weeks later.
The jury appeared to side with defense lawyers who argued that Manci had numerous health issues, and it couldn’t be proven that his death was the direct result of being struck during the fight. While cleared of the murder charge, McDermott was convicted of aggravated battery.
He could face two to ten years in prison when he’s sentenced in August, but would also be eligible for probation.