A Nevada man who acknowledged shooting his landlord amid an eviction dispute has been sentenced to a significant term of imprisonment.
Antoine Cloutier, 49, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter with use of a deadly weapon following an Alford plea. On Wednesday, a judge sentenced him to six to 15 years in prison, nearly five years after the fatal shooting of 44-year-old Rafael Ampier Jr.
An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while conceding that the prosecution possesses sufficient evidence to secure a conviction at trial.
As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Cloutier had been residing with his wife and child in a home where he rented a room from Ampier. On September 10, 2021, a dispute erupted between the two men after Ampier had made repeated requests for Cloutier and his family to vacate the property.
During the confrontation, Cloutier shot Ampier in the back, resulting in his death.
Testimony presented during a preliminary hearing by members of Ampier’s family revealed that Ampier had himself previously been a tenant at the same residence. After negotiating an arrangement with the property’s original landlord, Ampier assumed control of the home’s lease and effectively became the landlord. It was in this capacity that he formally notified Cloutier and his family of the requirement to vacate the premises.
According to witness accounts, Ampier had initially extended Cloutier additional time to arrange his departure. However, matters escalated significantly on September 10, 2021, when Cloutier and his family remained in the home beyond the expected deadline. A physical altercation broke out between the two men in the home’s garage. Following a struggle involving a knife, Cloutier gained access to a firearm and discharged it at Ampier.
The medical examiner determined that the bullet entered Ampier’s back and came to rest on the right side of his chest.
Cloutier’s defense attorney argued that the firearm was discharged unintentionally during the physical struggle. However, police reported that Cloutier fled the scene immediately after the shooting and was not apprehended until the following day. Cloutier allegedly attempted to justify his actions by claiming he believed Ampier posed a threat to his wife. He reportedly confessed to the shooting upon his arrest.
Ampier is survived by six children. A GoFundMe campaign established to support his family remains active.
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