A surprise guilty plea brought a stunningly speedy end to the legal case of Nisar Hashimi in the high-profile death of a man linked to the Mayor Rob Ford video scandal.

Hashimi, 23, pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of manslaughter of Anthony Smith.

Smith, Muhammad Khattak and a third man appeared with Ford in the infamous photo outside a west-end Toronto bungalow.

Hashimi, 23, was originally charged with first-degree murder and attempt murder after Smith, 19, was fatally shot and Khattak, 19, wounded near the Loki Lounge on King St. W., near Spadina Ave., early March 27.

The unexpected plea means little evidence will be presented in court. Defence lawyer John Struthers said he had enough disclosure to resolve the case.

Hashimi was sentenced to nine years in prison, a term jointly recommended by the Crown and defence. He was also sentenced to four years imprisonment, to be served concurrently, for aggravated assault.

The lesser plea “properly and justly reflects the extent of Mr. Hashimi’s legal culpability on the evidence in this case,” prosecutor Mary Misener told Ontario Court Justice Paul Taylor.

Hashimi opened fire as Smith and Khattak, who is Hashimi’s cousin, assaulted one of Hashimi’s friends outside the Loki Lounge around 2:40 a.m., part of an ongoing dispute between two groups of young men, Misener said reading from an agreed statement of facts.

Court heard Smith and Khattak were known to police as alleged members of the Dixon City Bloods, a west-end Toronto street gang recently targeted by police.

Smith was shot in the back of the head and thigh. Khattak was struck in the shoulder area.

“The shooting occurred in the heat of a fight, and in the melee he acted instinctively, in the sudden excitement of the moment and while his capacity was diminished by alcohol and drugs,” Misener said.

Struthers said his client demonstrated his remorse by immediately instructing him to seek a plea deal.

“The facts on the ground were very clear this was a manslaughter by any legal analysis,” he said. “It’s a plea that involves excessive force and self-defence.”

Struthers said it was an “excellent result” for Hashimi, who can apply for parole in three years. He acknowledged it was the fastest resolution to a murder case of the more than 70 he has handled.

The veteran lawyer “couldn’t speak to” whether he was aware of any connection between Smith and Ford, but said he expects “further developments.”

He also used the occasion to decry the war on drugs for turning the city’s disadvantaged neighbourhoods into war zones “and drugstores for the rest of us.”

Outside court, Smith’s mother and sister said they believed the outcome was just.

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“I think the judge and the Crown have worked to the best of their ability,” said Smith’s mother, Angela Erlington. “And for the man who took my son’s life, I’m glad that he took some form of responsibility.”

Smith’s sister, Kamelia Taylor, lashed out at media outlets for only caring about her brother after his photo with the mayor surfaced. “While you guys are trying to go after the mayor, you guys brought our family through nothing but grief and disgust.”

Khattakwas arrested earlier this month in the police gang sweep targeting alleged members of the Dixon City Bloods. He remains in custody after he was denied bail.