DRUG DEALER ADMITS TO KILLING RIVAL

A man who faced a first-degree murder charge for the shooting death of
a fellow drug dealer in a territorial dispute could now be free in
less than five years.

Cody William Bates, 24, was sentenced to 81/2 years in prison on
Monday, two months after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

He admitted killing Ali Khamis outside the Shawnessy Community
Association on June 6, 2006.

Justice Neil Wittmann noted Bates had initiated the events that led to
Khamis's death.

Khamis recruited two others in what turned into a botched robbery,
telling one he did not like the fact Bates was selling drugs on his
southwest turf.

Court heard that one of the other men was holding a sawed-off shotgun
when it accidentally went off, killing Khamis.

"The fact there has been a significant rise in homicides with firearms
in Calgary is aggravating," said Wittmann.

"But as the defence argued, the discharge was accidental. There was no
intent to shoot the victim."

Wittmann gave him double credit for 21 months spent in custody since
his arrest, reducing time to be served to five years.

The judge noted Bates was subject to a 10-year firearms prohibition
from previous convictions.

The gunman, Justin Gittens, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will be
sentenced in September.

An alleged accomplice, Jason Woods, faces trial in
September.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Bates faced a life sentence with
no parole for 25 years.