He asked for a speedy trial and got a speedy conviction.

Fabian Thompson was found guilty Thursday night of first-degree murder in the January shooting death of Terrell Buiey, the cousin of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard.

The shooting took place during a home invasion after Buiey wounded Thompson. Prosecutors had eyewitnesses in the case, but blood was also a key. Police followed the blood trail from the apartment, and when they caught up with Thompson, he had Buiey's blood on him.

Sheppard was a member of William M. Raines High School's state championship football team, and he played for the Florida Gators from 1999-2001. He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft and returned to Jacksonville last February when Philadelphia met the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.

Sheppard stirred controversy with the local media last season when he slammed Jacksonville as a violent city shortly before the Super Bowl.

Previous Stories:

• January 13, 2005: Jacksonville Violence In National Spotlight After NFL Player's Cousin Gunned Down
• January 10, 2005: One Killed, One Hurt In Separate Arlington Shootings