Courtroom proceedings in Detroit reflecting the emotions of a controversial trial.
Detroit resident Terell Josey has been granted a new trial by the Michigan Court of Appeals, overturning his 2022 conviction for the fatal shooting of firefighter Lt. Francis Dombrowski. The Appeals Court identified significant errors in the original trial, particularly concerning the denial of self-defense instructions. The road rage incident occurred at a Shell gas station, where tensions escalated following a near-collision and aggressive confrontation. With the new ruling, Josey will have another opportunity to present his case as community members react to the ongoing legal proceedings.
In a surprising turn of events, Detroit resident Terell Josey has been granted a new trial by the Michigan Court of Appeals. Josey was previously convicted in 2022 for the fatal shooting of firefighter Lt. Francis Dombrowski, but the Appeals Court overturned his conviction on April 21, 2025, citing errors made during his original trial.
The incident that led to Josey’s conviction took place on July 5, 2021, at a Shell gas station in Troy, Michigan, following a road rage encounter. Dombrowski, who was 55 years old at the time, was allegedly involved in a verbal dispute after a close call with the vehicle driven by Kiara Fuller, Josey’s then-fiancée, and their 2-year-old child. This heated exchange allegedly escalated to the point where Dombrowski directed a racial slur at Josey and even spat on him.
According to reports, the confrontation began when Dombrowski, in a moment of reckless driving, sped through a red light nearly colliding with Fuller’s vehicle. Words were exchanged, and a heated argument ensued. Surveillance footage captured the dramatic moments leading up to the shooting, showing Dombrowski approaching Josey before Josey shot him three times in the upper torso. After the incident, both Josey and Fuller turned themselves in to the police, and authorities recovered a 9mm semi-automatic handgun believed to be used in the shooting.
Initially charged with open murder, as well as several firearm-related offenses, Josey was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, carrying a concealed weapon, and using a firearm during a felony in October 2022. An Oakland County Circuit Court judge sentenced him to serve a prison term of 5 to 15 years for manslaughter, along with additional sentences for the other charges.
During the trial, Josey’s defense team sought to argue self-defense, claiming Dombrowski was the aggressor in this tragic confrontation. However, the court did not permit the jury to consider self-defense as an option for the manslaughter charge. After the Appeals Court reviewed the details, they determined that denying Josey the opportunity for a jury instruction on self-defense severely impacted his right to a fair trial.
This new ruling means that Josey will receive another chance to present his case in court, and the Appeals Court emphasized that the trial court’s error was significant enough to warrant a new trial.
In response to the ruling, the Oakland County prosecutor’s team is planning to reassess the case. There has been no announcement regarding potential further appeals yet. Meanwhile, Josey has been serving his sentence at the Carson City Correctional Facility, and his next courtroom appearance will be closely watched as emotions run high among community members, especially considering the tragic loss of Lt. Dombrowski.
The fallout from this incident has been deeply felt within the community. Lt. Dombrowski’s funeral saw attendance from around 500 individuals, reflecting a city in mourning for a firefighter who dedicated his life to serving others. As this case unfolds once again, it presents yet another chapter in a story that has gripped Detroit.
As we wait for the upcoming trial, this case will likely reignite discussions around self-defense, community safety, and the complexities of road rage incidents. Time will tell what the future holds for both Terell Josey and the memories of Lt. Francis Dombrowski.
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