1 man pleads guilty in 2022 killing outside Salt Palace; 2 others prepare for trial

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Joshua Goy Riak pleaded guilty to manslaughter and aggravated robbery in a 2022 killing outside the Salt Palace Convention Center.
Two other men, Deng Mawat Buk and Nogolweit Kug, are charged with murder and will face trial this month.
The incident involved a dispute over a fraudulent card game, which led to a physical fight and then shooting.

SALT LAKE CITY — One of three men charged in connection with a killing outside a sneaker convention at the Salt Palace Convention Center in 2022 pleaded guilty on Wednesday.

Joshua Goy Riak, 23, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a second-degree felony; and aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony.

Two other men charged in the same killing, Deng Mawat Buk and Nogolweit "Nunu" Kug, are scheduled to face a joint jury trial beginning Feb. 21.

Deliford Knight, 41, of Florida, convinced the three men to play a card game on Sept. 3, 2022. Salt Lake police said he would travel to conventions to defraud people of money. Riak's plea statement said he lost $3,000 to Knight before an argument ensued that moved from inside the building to onto the street outside.

The men were fighting between a parked vehicle and a vehicle that was stuck in traffic when Knight got away. He was backing away from the men when Kug pulled out a handgun and shot him in the street in broad daylight, charging documents state. Police say Buk ran toward the parking garage as the other two men went through Knight's pockets taking what looked like cash from Knight.

Knight received medical care from bystanders and emergency responders but died at the scene.

At a preliminary hearing, witnesses testified about what they saw, including one who took a video of the shooting on her phone from inside a car. She said Knight was trying to stand up and had his hands up.

All three men, who are cousins, were charged with murder and aggravated robbery, first-degree felonies. Buk faces an additional charge of obstructing justice, a second-degree felony. They are each documented gang members, police said.

As part of a plea deal, Riak pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 3.

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