JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man who claimed self defense after a 22-year-old was stabbed to death in an apartment complex parking lot in 2012 was found guilty of second degree murder Thursday.
Maurice Johnson, 32, was found guilty in the death of Jessie Bracelett.
Bracelett was found bleeding on the ground in the parking lot of the Williamsburg Apartments on Toledo Road in December.
He died from his injuries.
Police said the incident seemed to stem from something drug related and that the pair knew each other for a few months prior to the attack.
The police report said witnesses first called police to report a robbery.
They claimed to have seen the beating, and ID the suspect as the man responsible.
Johnson was also injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. He then went willingly to be interviewed by homicide detectives.
JSO Lt. Rob Schoonover said Johnson initially claimed to be a victim in the stabbing, but eventually told detectives he acted in self-defense.
He is expected to be sentenced the week of April 25.