Well the only thing that's going to be real is that Gabriel told this story. This sounds like a robbery gone wrong at best, and premeditated murder at worst. Overkill.
"We wanted to rob him, he wouldn't let us, so we killed him" might play with some people out there, but I can't muster up sympathy. Feels like a plot for a movie or TV show featuring a bad-guy hero, but there's nothing righteous in that tale to endorse.
And since that's their BEST spin to try to gain public pity -- with an "excuse" such as this --- I wouldn't be surprised if Ssschu is right on target in saying "I don't want to read about either of these sociopaths (IMO) committing more murders after being released from prison in 20 years (like Cleotha Abston). IMO, the murder was likely premeditated. The story Davies has concocted is pathological." in light of the excuse, the labels seem really appropriate and insightful.