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SALT LAKE CITY — A Magna man accused of shooting and killing the singer of a local band in an argument outside a concert venue has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Quincy Earl Lawson, 21, pleaded guilty Thursday to manslaughter, a second-degree felony, reduced from a first-degree felony murder charge as part of a plea deal. An additional charge of obstructing justice and five counts of felony discharge of a firearm were dismissed as part of the agreement.
In the agreement, Lawson admitted, "I used unreasonable force in defending myself, thereby recklessly causing the death of Bradley Hancock."
On Nov. 15, 2014, Hancock, 24, of West Point, was with his band at a venue called At The Core, 1444 S. 700 West, when he escorted Lawson out of the building, according to charging documents. Friends say Hancock had Lawson removed from the venue after he tried to pick a fight with Hancock's brother.
A few moments later, Hancock went outside and saw Lawson still on the property and threw a rock toward him while telling him to leave, the charges state. The rock did not hit Lawson.
Lawson responded by firing six shots, striking Hancock in the head and arm, and Hancock's bandmate, Josh Nemcek, once in the foot, according to the charges. Lawson fled and was arrested several hours later in Nephi.
A jury trial for Lawson had been set to begin in May.
Lawson agreed in the plea deal to pay out-of-pocket restitution to Nemcek. Sentencing is scheduled for May 24.
