The man accused of killing two St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office deputies in 2012 has been found guilty on both counts of first-degree murder.
He faces the death penalty.
Twelve jurors from Alexandria, La., spent Friday listening to closing arguments in the case against Kyle Joekel after six days of testimony. Joekel is one of two men accused of first-degree murder in the ambush-style shooting deaths of deputies Jeremy Triche and Brandon Neilsen.
The two deputies were gunned down in Aug. 2012 at the Scenic Riverview Trailer Park in LaPlace.
Prosecutors argued that Joekel stood over deputy Neilsen with an AK-47 and shot him dead at close range. Joekel's defense attorneys argued it was another man who fired the shots - Brian Smith - who is being held in a mental hospital unable to stand trial.
"The evidence doesn't add up," Joekel's attorney Kerry Cuccia said. "He was in handcuffs and could not have gripped the gun and pulled the trigger."
Four witnesses testified Joekel was one of two shooters during the deadly altercation. Prosecutors Lee Hall told the jury, "Your verdict should be swift and it should be certain. Convict him. Give the state justice for its fallen."
Prosecutors have claimed that Joekel and Smith were members of the anti-government extremist group "Sovereign Citizens."
Investigators claim earlier that morning Joekel was present with Smith and others when another deputy was wounded trying to pull over their vehicle. A second deputy was also injured at the trailer park.
Joekel could receive the death penalty.
The case must lay over for at least 12 hours before the penalty phase begins. The jury will decide if Joekel gets the death penalty or life in prison.
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