Eilers’ killer found guilty
Jury: James Malec guilty of voluntary manslaughter After about eight hours of deliberation, a Canyon County jury found James Malec…
Jury: James Malec guilty of voluntary manslaughter
After about eight hours of deliberation, a Canyon County jury found James Malec guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the Christmas-night death of his stepson, mixed martial arts fighter Justin Eilers.
The charge is lighter than the second-degree murder conviction sought by prosecutors, but stiffer than the acquittal urged by the defense, which said Malec acted in self-defense.
Malec shot Eilers once in the chest during a family gathering at the home Malec shared with his wife, Eilers’ mother. Eilers, who was reportedly being loud, angry and disruptive, died at the scene.