David Friessen Sentenced to 13 Years for Manslaughter of Friend

A 30-year-old Belizean national of the Mennonite community, David Friessen, has been sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to manslaughter by provocation in the killing of his friend, Alexander Villamil.  Friessen was sentenced today before Justice Nigel Pilgrim, following a plea agreement reached between the Crown and the defense. The court accepted a joint recommendation for a 13-year custodial sentence after Friessen admitted to strangling Villamil during an altercation in February 2024.  The incident stemmed from a night of socializing and drinking in Maskall Village. According to agreed facts presented in court, Friessen and Villamil, who were friends, left a bar together with Friessen driving. During the drive, an argument broke out. Friessen attempted to remove Villamil from the vehicle, which escalated into a physical confrontation. Villamil, who was reportedly heavily intoxicated, attacked Friessen with a cable wire, choking and striking him. After a further struggle, Friessen subdued Villamil and later strangled him, causing his death.  Justice Pilgrim noted that while the offense resulted in the loss of life, the act appeared spontaneous rather than premeditated and occurred in the context of provocation. Under the law, manslaughter by provocation carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, with a sentencing range of 8 to 14 years and a starting point of 12 years.  In sentencing, the judge initially increased the sentence due to Friessen’s failure to immediately report the incident but allowed deductions for mitigating factors. These included Friessen’s lack of prior convictions, his cooperation with police, his confession, expressions of remorse, and positive character references. The court also considered victim impact statements from Villamil’s family, who described him as a quiet and helpful man and a father of two, and expressed deep pain over his death.  Friessen received a sentence reduction credit for his guilty plea and was ultimately sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment, backdated to February 26, 2024, when he was first remanded. Justice Pilgrim ordered that Friessen serve the sentence for the manslaughter of Alexander Villamil.