# Vigilante Who Said He 'Exploded Like a Tsunami' Before Blasting Man Who Assaulted His Young Relative Learns Fate

> Indiana man sentenced to 80 years for killing man who sexually abused his young relative after claiming his 'brain exploded like a tsunami'.
- Title: Vigilante Who Said He 'Exploded Like a Tsunami' Before…
- Summary: Indiana man sentenced to 80 years for killing man who sexually abused his young relative after claiming his 'brain exploded like a tsunami'. 36-year-old…
- Keywords: breaking, nicholas stanley, allen cogswell, elkhart county, indiana, vigilante, murder, shotgun, sudden heat, voluntary manslaughter, state prison, 80 years
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/crime/vigilante-who-said-he-exploded-like-a-tsunami-before-blasting-man-who-assaulted-his-young-relative-learns-his-fate
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: breaking, nicholas stanley, allen cogswell, elkhart county, indiana, vigilante, murder, shotgun, sudden heat, voluntary manslaughter, state prison, 80 years
## Nicholas Stanley
36-year-old Indiana man sentenced to 80 years in state prison for killing Allen Cogswell.
## Sentence Details
Elkhart Circuit Judge Michael A Christofeno sentenced Stanley to 80 years in state prison after jury found him guilty of murder and pleaded no contest to using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
## Where and When
Stanley killed Cogswell with two shotgun blasts at Daylite Inn motel on Cassopolis Street in Elkhart in June 2025.
## Criminal History
Cogswell pleaded guilty in 2018 to molesting Stanley's 7-year-old relative who attended his sentencing.
## Trial Context
Prosecutors argued Stanley's actions did not qualify for voluntary manslaughter due to 'sudden heat' defense.
## Stanley's Testimony
Stanley claimed his brain 'exploded like a tsunami' after seeing Cogswell at the motel room.

> It was the first time I'd seen him since the sentencing and 'my brain exploded like a tsunami'
## Stanley's Motivation
Stanley stated he killed Cogswell to protect his family after his relative told him she feared Cogswell would retaliate.

> There wasn't really much on my mind other than rage
## The Shooting
Stanley shot Cogswell in the head and chest after knocking on the door and waiting for him to answer.
## Aftermath
Stanley fled the scene, dumped the shotgun in a river, and gave police a false account of his whereabouts.
## Parole Eligibility
Stanley must serve at least 75% of his 80-year sentence before parole eligibility.
## Defense Appeal
Stanley's defense attorney plans to appeal the sentence after the hearing.
## Cogswell's Release
Cogswell was released from prison in May 2025 after serving his 2018 sentence.
## Stanley's Claim
Stanley stated he intended to kill Cogswell, saying 'You don't shoot somebody in the chest with the intent not to'.

> You don't shoot somebody in the chest with the intent not to
## Key Context
Stanley's actions were motivated by his relative's fear of Cogswell after he was released from prison.
## What Happens Next
Stanley's defense plans to appeal the 80-year sentence after the sentencing hearing.
## Key takeaway

36-year-old Nicholas Stanley received 80-year prison sentence for murdering Allen Cogswell after Cogswell sexually abused his 7-year-old relative.