Man convicted of trying to kill girlfriend's father

William Copeland

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man who tried to kill his girlfriend's father was convicted Saturday of attempted first-degree murder.

After a four-day trial that began Wednesday, a jury deliberated for about an hour and a half before finding William Copeland guilty. He was also convicted of aggravated battery with a firearm, causing great bodily harm, and shooting into a building.

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Copeland asked an unwitting friend to give him a ride to his girlfriend's house in May 2011. He rang the doorbell, and as his girlfriend answered, he went to the back of the house and shot her father.

Copeland faces a minimum mandatory of 25 years in prison. A tentative sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 11.