AN auto dealer who is alleged to have accidentally shot and killed his friend during a ‘friendly scuffle’ was charged for manslaughter and appeared before Sparendaam Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul.Sean Stoll, 36, was released on $500,000 bail after he was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on April 29, at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara he unlawfully killed Nafasie Edghill.

According to a police report, on the day in question, Edghill and three other men were in a car. They reportedly went to the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) compound to locate another man who owed one of them money.

It was reported that Edghill and Stoll began tantalizing each other and later got involved in a playful scuffle when Edghill was shot to his abdomen.

The 29-year-old gold miner of Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown was rushed to a private city hospital, where he succumbed while receiving treatment.

Stoll’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes asked for his client to be released on bail because he was not a flight risk.

The lawyer explained that his client and the now dead man had been close friends for over a decade and deemed the circumstances surrounding Edghill’s demise as very unfortunate.

According to the attorney, both men are licensed firearm holders and it was Edghill who grabbed his client and in the process was injured when his own gun went off.

Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Solomon strongly opposed bail, based on the prevalence and nature of the offence.

Sergeant Solomon further pointed out that if the accused was released on bail there was a likelihood that he might tamper with the prosecution’s witnesses.

The Magistrate ruled in the attorney’s favor and granted bail, with the condition that Stoll lodge his passport and report to the Sparendaam Police Station every Friday.

The matter has been adjourned until June 23, for reports.