Defence lawyer Akram Attia asked for the mandatory minimum sentence of four years and suggested the discharge of the shotgun was accidental or was done to scare Williams. "This is as close as you can get to an accidental or unintentional causing of the death of Mr. Williams," Attia said. Both sides agreed that Nickerson was instantly remorseful and quickly left the scene to turn himself in so paramedics could do their work. Court of Queen's Bench Justice Eric Macklin called the situation "fluid, dangerous and extremely dynamic" and said he had no doubt that Nickerson and his wife were terrified when Sutton and his wife entered their home.