A Newton man charged with first-degree murder after admitting he killed his fiancee during an argument in October was found guilty Tuesday of a lesser charge. The jury took just over 24 hours after deliberations began to return the second-degree murder verdict against 43-three-year-old Jay Dee Mack in the death of 43-year-old Angelina Ancer.
Mack had testified that the shooting occurred during another confrontation in what had been years of physical abuse, verbal abuse and threats from Ancer. Experts say Mack’s blood alcohol content was probably around three times the legal limit when he shot Ancer, and his defense attorneys used that as part of their diminished capacity defense.
Jasper County Attorney, Mike Jacobsen, sought the first-degree murder verdict, but was not critical of the decision for the lesser verdict. “The jury has a hard job to do, and they did their job, and we’re satisfied with the outcome,” Jacobsen said. Jacobsen says he will ask the judge to impose the mandatory sentence.
He says the maximum sentences is 50 years in prison and Mack would have to serve 70-percent of the sentence, or 35 years, before being eligible for parole. Sentencing for Mack is set for August 9th at 1:30.
By Randy Van, KCOB, Newton