JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man was found guilty Friday in his neighbor’s murder, according to the Office of the State Attorney.
James Jacobsen, 37, was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, the shooting or throwing of deadly missiles, purchasing cannabis, tampering with evidence, carrying a concealed firearm, two counts of dealing in stolen property, burglary, and the possession of a firearm by a felon, state officials said.
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Jacobsen’s sentencing is set for the week of Jan. 9, 2017. He has nine prior felony convictions and faces the possibility of life in prison.
The victim in the case, 47-year-old Bryan Edwards, was reported missing in March 2014.
Edwards’ family members and the police tried to reach him on multiple occasions, but were never successful.
They eventually entered his home and found it had been ransacked. They also discovered Edwards dead inside the house, investigators said.
Family members also noticed jewelry, an expensive camera and several firearms were missing, according to officials.
When detectives spoke to Jacobsen, who was Edwards’ neighbor, they learned Jacobsen and Jacobsen’s girlfriend occasionally bought small amounts of marijuana from the victim.
Jacobsen and his girlfriend were later caught on video pawning Edwards’ belongings at a nearby shop, investigators said.
The girlfriend told police that Jacobsen admitted to her that he killed Edwards and took his valuables under the pretense of buying marijuana, according to officials.