Man convicted of killing 74-year-old veteran when he shot into wrong house
“James Jones was an innocent man who lost his life because Deangelo Merrill chose to take the law into his own hands."
Mason Reed 
A jury in south Alabama has delivered a verdict in the tragic 2021 case involving the death of a 74-year-old veteran. Deangelo Merrill was found guilty on Wednesday of reckless manslaughter, first-degree burglary, and certain persons forbidden to possess a pistol, according to reporting from 205focus.com.
A Case of Mistaken Identity
Evidence presented at trial by the Mobile County District Attorney’s office revealed the harrowing sequence of events from June 29, 2021. Prosecutors demonstrated that Merrill kicked in the door of James Jones’ home, ultimately shooting the innocent veteran to death. Merrill had reportedly been searching for Henry Stephenson, whom he blamed for the death of his child’s mother, but he targeted the wrong residence.
Justice Served
While Merrill was originally charged with murder, the jury reached a verdict on the lesser charges. Following the conclusion of the trial, Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood condemned the violence, stating, “James Jones was an innocent man who lost his life because Deangelo Merrill chose to take the law into his own hands.”
Blackwood further emphasized the gravity of the crime: “Merrill acted on anger and retaliation, forcing his way into a home where he had no right to be and killing a man who had done nothing wrong. No disagreement, grievance, or desire for revenge justifies this kind of violence.”
You can review additional details on the initial charges surrounding this 74-year-old veteran murder case. Merrill is currently scheduled for sentencing on July 21, 2026.
