A man has been acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter after he fatally shot a neighbour who had threatened to invade his home in Mandurah, south of Perth.
Damian Degioannis has been on trial in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, accused of murdering 42-year-old Adam Hall just before midnight on November 13, 2014.
Defence lawyer Anthony Elliott told the jury that Degioannis was defending himself and his guests against a drug-affected Mr Hall, who had been aggressive as he stood on his client's front lawn and threatened to invade the house.
Degioannis responded by going inside and grabbing a sawn-off rifle, which he used to shoot Mr Hall in the chest.
Degioannis fled the scene after the shooting but was arrested by police three days later in Halls Head.
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Outside court after the jury delivered its verdict on Friday afternoon, his family said they were very relieved and expressed their support for the father-of-two, who they said was very protective of his family and friends.
"We're really, really happy with the result," one family member said.
"He's a great person - he just made a mistake, that's all."
Degioannis will face a sentencing hearing on April 27.
