Dixon Man Charged with First-Degree Murder in Bar Stabbing
UPDATE: A Solano County Superior Court judge has just ruled that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with trial against Brian James Sweeney, a 44-year-old man from Dixon, in the fatal stabbing of Kane Nishimoto, a 21-year-old from Vacaville. The stabbing, which occurred outside Luke’s Lounge on August 16, 2023, has drawn significant public attention due to its violent nature and implications of self-defense.
The court hearing took place on October 24, 2023, where Judge Janice M. Williams determined that Sweeney will return to court on October 28 at 8:30 a.m. for arraignment and to set future court dates. Prosecutors have charged him with first-degree murder with the personal use of a knife, a serious crime that could carry severe penalties.
Investigators reported that the stabbing unfolded during an altercation at the bar around 2 a.m.. Following the incident, Sweeney fled the scene, prompting law enforcement to issue a public alert to locate him as a “person of interest.” He surrendered two days later, providing authorities with his account of the events.
During the hearing, Sweeney’s defense attorney, Thomas Maas, argued that his client acted in self-defense. Maas claimed that Nishimoto had struck Sweeney first, which led Sweeney to wrestle a knife from Nishimoto. “He believed he had to fight back with force,” Maas stated, pleading for the judge to consider reducing the charge to involuntary manslaughter based on the theory of “imperfect self-defense.”
However, Deputy District Attorney Courtney Anderson countered these claims with compelling evidence. She highlighted testimony from Nishimoto’s girlfriend, Jaden Woodiwiss, who stated that Nishimoto was attempting to protect her from Sweeney’s aggression. Woodiwiss testified that she overheard Sweeney threatening Nishimoto, saying he was “going to kill” him.
Anderson also pointed to video footage from inside the bar, which contradicts Sweeney’s claims. “It is clear on the video that at no point did he actually turn and start to walk out,” she said, emphasizing that Sweeney appeared to provoke the confrontation rather than retreat from it.
The prosecution further stressed that the wounds inflicted on Nishimoto were deliberate, with two clear strikes to the heart and abdomen, challenging the defense’s narrative that it was a reckless act in self-defense. “They were not slashing wounds that you would expect from swinging wildly,” Anderson noted, underlining the gravity of the situation.
As this case develops, the community and the families involved remain deeply affected. The tragic death of Nishimoto has left a significant emotional impact on those who knew him, and the upcoming court dates will be closely watched as new evidence may emerge.
WHAT’S NEXT: The next court appearance for Sweeney is scheduled for October 28, 2023, where further legal proceedings will unfold. The case continues to draw public interest, and updates will be provided as they become available.
