A Manchester man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after a fatal fight

Nov. 4 — A Manchester man pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal beating of a man on Lowell Street last year.

Akeem Alleyn, 34, changed his plea last week just before a jury trial to one count of involuntary manslaughter and seven counts of second-degree assault, according to court records.

The charges relate to negligent causing the death of 46-year-old TJ Thomas in December 2023 when Alleyne hit him in the head and repeatedly kicked and kicked him. The attack happened around 12:30 a.m. Dec. 7 at Domino’s Pizza on Lowell Street behind Manchester Central High School.

When police arrived, they found Thomas unconscious on the sidewalk and administered medical treatment. Witnesses told police the two men were arguing when Alleyne knocked Thomas down and attacked him on the sidewalk. Thomas was taken to Elliott Hospital and later pronounced dead.

Alleyne fled and was later arrested by police in Richmond, Virginia.

In September, public defender Paige Peale Buckley filed a notice that Alleyne could plead self-defense/defence of others in the case against him.

Alleyne claims he witnessed his girlfriend and her daughter chase after someone who stole a package from their home and “interrupted the pursuit at Domino’s Pizza in an attempt to protect his family from harm,” according to the report.

“Defense counsel may argue that any actions taken by Mr. Alleyne were intended to protect himself and his family from what he reasonably believed to be the imminent use of unlawful force against them,” the statement said.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Patrick Ives and Shawn Karkos.

Alleyne faces 30 years in prison, the maximum possible sentence for involuntary manslaughter, and will not be eligible for parole until 2036, according to the plea agreement.

The verdict will be announced on December 19.