Gabriel DiCecco found guilty of manslaughter in killing of best friend

The man accused of murdering his best friend in Alliston two years ago has been convicted of manslaughter.

Gabriel DiCecco has been found not guilty of first or second-degree murder and guilty of manslaughter in the killing of his best friend William Schernhammer two years ago near Alliston.

DiCecco wept in the prisoner’s box while Schernhammer’s loved ones sat shocked in the courtroom after hearing the jury’s surprising verdict following more than six-and-a-half hours of deliberations.

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The defence implored the jury during closing submissions to find DiCecco guilty of manslaughter, arguing he killed his friend of more than 10 years on the night of Jan. 12, 2024 when DiCecco shot Schernhammer after he testified Schernhammer tried to sexually assault him.

DiCecco, who is now 27, and has been behind bars since his arrest testified that he killed Schernhammer when he tried to force himself on him. In fear and panic DiCecco told the court he fired several shots at Scherhammer then dumped his body in a ditch along the 25th side road south of Alliston. He was also convicted by the jury of interfering with a dead body.

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Initially DiCecco told police he didn’t know what happened to his friend Schernhammer, who had been missing for nine days until DiCecco eventually told police where he disposed of Schernhammer’s remains.

Prior to being charged with murder DiCecco told police a masked stranger emerged from a field that night shot Schernhammer and DiCecco loaded his friend in the car and left him by the side of the road.

During closing arguments defence lawyer Sam Goldstein conceded DiCecco “lost control” out of fear and panic during a chaotic sequence of events, during which DiCecco said he was provoked by Schernhammer, leading to the shooting.

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The Crown argued DiCecco murdered Schernhammer when he fired four shots at him at close range with a shot gun he had in his car that night, arguing he planned to murder Schernhammer, who had often teased DiCecco about his sexuality. DiCecco was described by witnesses as weird, strange, and socially awkward.

DiCecco claimed Schernhammer had previously sexually assaulted him in 2016. Those allegations were unfounded and police did not investigate further when DiCecco came forward with his story in 2017.

DiCecco is scheduled to return to court in three weeks to set a date for his sentencing hearing.