Walton convicted for Cape shooting

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Butler County jury deliberated for five and a half hours before declaring Jibril Walton guilty in the shooting death of a Cape Girardeau father of seven.

Walton, 26, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action, said Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

Walton shot Billy Jones Jr. Aug. 18, 2002, at the National Guard Armory's parking lot in Cape Girardeau. The men were in two separate cars parked next to each other. Walton's case was transferred to Butler County on a change of venue.

Judge Mark Richardson ordered a presentence investigation but did not set a sentencing date, Swingle said. Walton faces up to 15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and up to life in prison for armed criminal action.

Swingle said he intends to ask the judge to sentence Walton to life because he is a prior offender.

"I truly think he's a danger to the public," he said. "I'm glad the jury took him off of the streets."