Acquittal of Virginia Man in Shooting Incident at High School Basketball Game

A Virginia jury has acquitted Demari Batten, 20, of manslaughter charges in the 2021 fatal shooting of a 17-year-old outside a high school basketball game. The incident occurred as fans were leaving a game at Menchville High School against Woodside High School on December 14, 2021. Batten, who was 18 at the time, claimed that he acted in self-defense when the victim and other teens attacked him and attempted to take his gun. He testified that he believed his life was in danger and that there was a potential for serious injury. His attorney described the event as a "mob assault." While Batten was previously convicted of three firearms charges in a 2022 trial, the jury deadlocked on the manslaughter charge. As a result, a sentencing date for the firearms charges is pending and Batten remains in custody.