MAYVILLE – As the defense continued to try to paint murder victim William Michishima as the initial aggressor in the incident that led to his death, a former housemate of Michishima testified that the victim wanted to correct the situation between himself and Waggoner.
Bryan Sleight told the Court that Michishima stayed with him briefly in 2018 and the evening before he died, told Sleight he wanted to “make things right.”
Sleight said he responded that Michishima should either turn himself in or leave town.
“I’m not going back to jail. I’ll make things right,” Sleight said Michishima told him.
The next day Michishima was shot and killed, allegedly by David Waggoner.
On Thursday, Chautauqua County Public Defender Ned Barone called multiple witnesses in an attempt to prove that Michishima was the initial aggressor in the second-degree murder case against Waggoner.
Town of Ellery man Dennis Harvey was one of the witnesses Barone called. Harvey testified that he knew both Michishima and Waggoner.
Harvey said that he belongs to Brothers By Choice, a social motorcycle club that performs charitable benefits. According to Harvey, Michishima was a member of the club at one point.
Last June, Harvey testified that Michishima “wanted to kick my ass” after acknowledging to Michishima that the club wasn’t a “one-percent club.” Harvey stated that Michishima expressed his desire to join such club.
Harvey said the verbal altercation occurred during a meeting, but when cross-examined by Chautauqua County District Attorney Patrick Swanson, he confirmed a physical fight never took place when Michishima called for the two to fight outside of the club.
Harvey additionally testified that he told Waggoner of the events a few weeks after.
April Nelson, a long time friend of Michishima, also took the stand. Nelson testified that, the morning of the shooting, Michishima came to her house at 8:30 a.m. to talk. Nelson said that he appeared “nervous” and that he said, “I really messed up this time,” before leaving shortly before 9.
Waggoner, a Jamestown native, is accused of shooting and killing Michishima last July 24.
thats wrong what happen he was a good friend of mine i hope who shot him gets what he deserves over something stupid