Michigan Man Found Guilty For Firing Shotgun At Teen Asking For Directions

Source: Fox2Detroit/Local4

Jeffrey Ziegler said he regrets what happened but prosecutors argued that he was acting recklessly.

Jeffrey Ziegler, the Michigan homeowner who fired a shotgun at teen Brennan Walker, has been found guilty of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

READ: Michigan Man Who Fired Shotgun At Teen Asking For Directions Says He's "Tired Of Being A Victim"

According to Local12, Ziegler was convicted of a lesser charge than expected. Instead of a life sentence, he's instead possibly looking at 10 years in prison. During the trial, Ziegler claimed that he never intended to kill the 14-year-old Walker. Ziegler's wife also alleged that Walker broke into their home.

"He's been sorry ever since this obviously happened. Um, he's been extremely remorseful. He wishes he could take it back but obviously he can't take it back. He wishes he didn't go outside that day. But he certainly didn't want to, he certainly wasn't trying to hurt this individual, he certainly didn't want to do that," Ziegler's defense attorney said. "He was just looking out; he felt he was looking out for his family."

Still, the jury found him guilty and decided that he had intended to kill the 14-year-old boy.

During the trial, surveillance video of the incident was made public. The video begins with Walker going onto the porch and then moving closer to knock on the door. He then quickly backs off and runs away as Ziegler comes through the door holding a weapon. He then points it in Walker's direction and fires.

Walker previously said that he missed the bus to Rochester High School in Rochester Hills, and trekked four miles when he got lost and began knocking on the doors of several houses.

Source: Local12