MUNCIE, Ind. — A Delaware County jury found a man guilty of murder and other charges Monday for the 2022 shooting death of a man in Muncie.
In addition to the murder charge, the jury convicted 34-year-old Jason Harris on charges of criminal confinement, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, obstruction of justice and theft. Harris was also found to be a habitual offender, due to two prior unrelated felony convictions, the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office said.
Erik Sparks, 28, was reported missing by a roommate from a home on the southwest side of Muncie. Police said their investigation led them to a location off the Cardinal Greenway, near McGalliard Road, where they found Sparks dead Feb. 8, 2022.
According to court documents, Sparks' roommate, Kyle Harris, reported him missing. He told police that his brother, Jason, had been in an argument with Sparks the night before and had pointed a gun at Sparks. Kyle told police when he asked Jason where Sparks was, Jason made a motion with his hand, pulling his thumb across his throat as if Sparks was dead.
When police returned to the home later, they said Jason handed them Sparks' wallet.
Police said they were familiar with Jason from numerous incidents involving violence, including a time when he had stabbed his brother, Kyle.
Kyle allegedly told officer that his other brother in Chicago had called him and asked what was going on because Jason had called and said he shot someone and needed to get out of town.
According to court documents, Jason at first told officers he had not been with Sparks the morning of the shooting. Investigators then said Jason told them someone pulled a gun on them on the Cardinal Greenway trail and shot Sparks in the head twice. He claims he then dragged Sparks' body into the woods and covered it with snow because he was worried the police would not believe his story.
According to court documents, Jason led officers to the body. They say he then admitted to getting in an argument with Sparks, walked him down the trail at gunpoint, and then shot and killed him.
The jury deliberated for about 90 minutes before returning their verdict on Monday.
Harris will be sentenced Jan. 18, 2024. The convictions carry a maximum sentence of more than 96 years, including a sentence of 45 to 65 years on the murder charge.