Man, 54, convicted in fatal shooting in Independence

LIVINGSTON — A jury convicted an Independence man of negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of another man after the two had an argument, District Attorney Scott Perrilloux reported Thursday.

The jury deliberated about three hours Wednesday before finding Ernest Beraud, 54, guilty, Perrilloux said in a news release.

According to a statement Beraud gave to detectives, the shooting took place after Leonard Gay Johnson, 50, arrived at Beraud’s house on March 23 and the two argued, Perrilloux said.

Toxicology tests showed Johnson had a blood-alcohol level of 0.29 and tested positive for marijuana, Perrilloux said in the release.

The defense argued that Beraud, who uses a wheelchair, feared for his life and shot Johnson in self-defense, Perrilloux said.

Evidence indicated, however, that Johnson was not facing Beraud at the time Johnson was shot, Perrilloux said.

Beraud was booked on a count of second-degree murder, charged with manslaughter, and found guilty of the lesser charge of negligent homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, Perrilloux said.