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Guilty plea in 2015 killing of Joe Zecca

Shiloh Davidson to be sentenced for Abbotsford manslaughter
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Investigators were on the scene in May 2015 to investigate the death of Joe Zecca, who was found lying in the road at Lonzo Road and Vedder Way in east Abbotsford. (Abbotsford News file photo)

A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2015 death of Joe Zecca in Abbotsford.

Shiloh Davidson, 33, appeared in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster on Thursday to enter the plea. He had originally been charged with second-degree murder.

Both lawyers asked that a pre-sentence report be prepared before sentencing proceeds.

Davidson is next slated to appear in court Dec. 18 to set a date for sentencing.

Zecca was found lying on the street on Lonzo Road and Vedder Way by a passing motorist on May 10, 2015.

When emergency crews arrived, they found him severely injured. They provided medical assistance, but Zecca was pronounced dead at the scene about 15 minutes later.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team took over the investigation and announced charges against Davidson and another man – Andre Provencal – a few days later.

Police said that Zecca’s death was the result of an altercation in which he suffered head wounds and other injuries. No further details have been released.

Zecca, who grew up in Surrey, was apparently homeless at the time of his death.

Provencal, now 25, pleaded guilty to charges of uttering threats and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was sentenced in September 2015 to 18 months’ probation and a lifetime weapons ban.

Davidson has remained in custody since his arrest following Zecca’s killing.

He has an extensive criminal record, almost entirely in Abbotsford. His past convictions include vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, breaching his bail and probation, theft and fleeing from a peace officer.

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Shiloh Davidson
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Joe Zecca


Vikki Hopes

About the Author: Vikki Hopes

I have been a journalist for almost 40 years, and have been at the Abbotsford News since 1991.
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