As a kid, I had a few years of Judo training and I have never learned how to choke a person. From my experience, Judo is about catching or throwing opponents off-balance (often with their unwilling help) and disarming and immobilizing them so they can't harm you.
Of all martial arts, Judo is one of the gentlest. I can hardly imagine using it to kill someone who does not really want to get killed.
As for Mr. Sturgeon, misreporting a crime, specially if it's done with the intention of compromising a murder investigation, is a serious offense. I am not sure why the police didn't get him.
And, while we are at it, it is a real no-no do screw your friend's wife.
This case begs for an appeal.