A former NASA executive charged with shooting his Springfield, Virginia neighbor, with whom he had an ongoing argument, was convicted of first degree murder.
A former NASA executive charged with shooting his Springfield, Virginia neighbor, with whom he had an ongoing argument, was convicted of first degree murder.
Michael Hetle, 52, was found guilty of shooting Javon Prather, 24, seven times. The shoot was recorded by a ring doorbell camera.
Hetle claimed he feared for his life when Prather knocked on the door of his house, but prosecutors called it a cold-blooded execution.
Fairfax County Commonwealth attorney Steve Descano said the evidence was pretty clear and the jury agreed that it was “not self-defense, that it was first degree murder, what is murder with malice and murder with intent”.
Although the facts would have come out either way, Descano said the ability to use the footage to show the jury what happened was a big part of the condemnation of the murder.
“The ability to actually show the jury what happened, and actually be able to show the conduct and the seven shots, made the jury realize, in my opinion, the malice of the first degree murder conviction,” said Descano.
Hetle was also found guilty of the use of a weapon in the commission of a crime.
Descano said that while the verdict will not return the verdict to Prather – who served in the Maryland National Guard – he hoped the verdict would bring “a small measure of peace” to Prather’s family.
Hetle and Prather had simmering disputes since 2016, with Hetle repeatedly complaining about barking dogs and loud music and calling the police.
Descano said that evidence presented during the trial showed that “racial hatred” contributed to Hetle’s actions, citing evidence from Hetle’s son about how the defendant related to Prather and his wife, including Descano said the jury found it convincing.
“The message I would have for the community is to remember that we are all one community. We all live here together and Fairfax County is one. We should keep that in mind, ”said Descano.
Hetle’s conviction is slated for January 28, 2022, and Descano said he was planning a life sentence.
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