UPDATE: Jury finds Shavonte Thompson guilty of homicide
LA CROSSE (WKBT) — Shavonte Thompson has been found guilty of shooting and killing an 18-year-old in La Crosse.
Closing arguments wrapped up just before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday morning for the trial. The jury returned a verdict just before noon.
Prosecutors say in November of 2019, Thompson shot and killed Javier Ayers, also known as Javier Hall, as part of a family feud.
District Attorney Tim Gruenke and Thompson’s lawyer, Patrick Flanagan, gave their final cases to the jury Wednesday morning.
“Be fair. Use your common sense. Be reasonable. Mostly, follow the law. And the law tells you that if there are reasons to doubt, the state has not met its burden of proof, you must return a verdict of not guilty,” Flanagan said.
Gruenke told the jury, “The video shows what it shows. The video from Shawna’s house shows what it shows. And testimony is consistent with that video and consistent with a very simple story. That Shavonte got out of that car, shot Javier and doesn’t care about it. And ran from the police to hide. Please find him guilty.”
Thompson faces life in prison and his sentencing will be on January 13th.
Previous coverage
Watch: Testimony continues in Day 2 of the Shavonte Thompson trial
Watch: Testimony begins in homicide trial of Shavonte Thompson
Prosecutors: Shavonte Thompson shot 18-year-old in feud
Odell Thompson testifies in plea deal
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