Chesterfield man found guilty of murdering 74-year-old with shotgun, pistol in Petersburg public park

City OF PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — A Chesterfield man has been uncovered responsible of 1st-diploma murder immediately after capturing at a guy ten moments in a Petersburg general public park, then twice with a shotgun in the confront and torso.

On April 26, Jimmy Lee Merhout was found responsible of 1st-diploma murder, applying a firearm in the fee of a felony, 10 counts of making an attempt to shoot the target, 74-year-outdated Willie Noise III, though murdering him and a single county of perjury in the Circuit Court for the Town of Petersburg.

The prosecution brought ahead witnesses who have been there at the scene on June 6, 2021, and saw the killing and the functions that led to it.

The former magistrate that the defendant was convicted of lying in the course of the functions leading up to the murder also testified, according to the Petersburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Business.

According to the courtroom conclusions, Merhout fired his pistol at the target ten situations in Patton Park off University Boulevard, then shot at him two times with a shotgun in the experience and torso. Before that, the defendant was said to have tried to receive a warrant, boasting the sufferer had put a gun to his head after the victim had questioned the defendant to slow down although driving by way of the park.

The defense offered a few witnesses, according to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Business. Just one of the witnesses noticed the shooting. The defendant also testified and claimed he killed the target in self-defense.

The decide found the defendant’s testimony contradicted photographs of the criminal offense scene that experienced been presented previously in the trial. Court conclusions showed blood spatter styles within the defendant’s car, the location of the victim’s body wherever he died and his previously statements in the presence of and right to police the day of the killing alone were being contradictory.

The court docket ruled the defendant’s provocative mind-set in the direction of the victim in the several hours ahead of the killing rendered the defendant’s declare of self-protection unjustified and the courtroom did not uncover any credible evidence that the defendant retreated ahead of killing the victim. The defense’s witness to the shooting was also located to be not credible.

The sentencing will start on June 23. The CA’s Business office claimed 1st-degree murder expenses carry a sentence of 20 several years to everyday living in prison.