A Howard County jury Thursday convicted Michael Dean Jackson, 28, of voluntary manslaughter in a homicide that shook up a quiet Columbia community.
“We respect the jury?s decision, and we very much appreciate the hard work that went into their deliberations,” Howard County State?s Attorney Timothy McCrone said.
Jackson, of Columbia, faces up to 10 years in prison. Judge Dennis Sweeney will sentence him March 12.
During final arguments Thursday morning, prosecutors made a plea to the jury, asking them to convict Jackson of murdering James Owen-Smith, 20, of Savage, on June 23.
Assistant State?s Attorney Claude de Vastey told jurors that Jackson engaged in a “vigilante act” when he shot and killed Owen-Smith, because Jackson said he feared for his family?s safety from a large group of teenagers.
“Just being about to be assaulted doesn?t rise to the level of deadly force,” de Vastey said.
Jackson?s defense attorney, Patrick O?Guinn, argued that Jackson had no choice but to defend himself with a gun against Owen-Smith, whom he described as the aggressor in the conflict.
He told the jury that between 30 and 40 youths were fighting at the King?s Contrivance Village Center when Jackson attempted to intervene.
The teenagers threatened Jackson for interfering, eventually calling Owen-Smith as an enforcer, O?Guinn said.
After several friends of Owen-Smith approached Jackson?s house, Jackson took a gun and exited his house, where he met up with Owen-Smith.
After a confrontation, Jackson shot the unarmed 20-year-old, prosecutors said.
In the hours after Owen-Smith?s shooting, about 25 of the victim?s friends were upset when demanding to see him at Howard County General Hospital, causing two people to be arrested for disorderly conduct.
