Judson Collier Jr., Jordan’s defense attorney, said that his client is emphatic that he did not have his finger on the trigger.

Jordan fled the scene, but was quickly caught by VCU police. Jordan took police to where he tossed the gun as he fled. He quickly confessed, saying it was an accident. Miller also said it was a “cowardly act” for Jordan to flee the scene without calling 911.

Collier said his client was “scared out of his wits” after Ish and Kwarteng showed up at his home unannounced late at night. Collier said his client had offered to pay Ish $415 of the $500 debt but was rebuffed, and had been getting threats over the unpaid debt. He grabbed the handgun out of a real fear for his own safety, Collier said.

In issuing his sentence, Circuit Judge Bradley B. Cavedo said that while Jordan’s actions were criminal and deserved punishment, there were mitigating factors that needed to be considered. For example, Jordan had been confronted late at night inside his own home, Cavedo said.

“It’s a shame they went there that day,” he said.

Collier said his client is suffering amid the memory of what happened.

“This man is in prison for the rest of his life. His mind and his heart are his prison,” Collier said.