MOBILE, Ala. (NBC 15) — A Mobile County jury has found Deangelo Merrill guilty of Reckless Manslaughter, Burglary First Degree, and Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Pistol in the 2021 death of James Jones, announced District Attorney Keith Blackwood.
Evidence presented at trial showed that on June 29, 2021, Merrill kicked in the door of the home of James Jones, a retired veteran, and fatally shot him. The evidence further established that Merrill was seeking Henry Stephenson, whom he blamed for the earlier death of Breonte Coleman. Acting out of retaliation, Merrill went to the wrong residence and forcibly entered Jones’ home. Jones, who had no involvement in Coleman’s death, was killed during the encounter.
Merrill was originally charged with Murder. Following deliberations, the jury returned a verdict finding him guilty of the lesser-included offense of Reckless Manslaughter, along with Burglary First Degree and Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Pistol…