Advertisement

Man found not guilty in fatal 2013 Pinellas stabbing

 
Published May 1, 2015

A jury on Friday found 65-year-old James Ellul not guilty of murdering his neighbor in the Lealman area in 2013.

Pinellas Sheriff's officials said at the time that Ellul got into a fight with neighbor Jerold Lester Jr., 55, at the Sunshine Mobile Home Park, 7403 46th Ave. N. They said Ellul was mad over the noise from Lester's motorcycle, and that he got into an argument with Lester and stabbed him to death.

But Ellul's attorney Scott Weinberg maintained that Ellul acted in self-defense. The fact that jurors made their decision in about 45 minutes is a good indication they agreed, he said.