GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) -- Kent County jurors deliberated about 90 minutes today before finding Kyle Alan Wilson guilty of second-degree murder in the September, 2013 beating death of his cousin.
Brandon Nelson, 33, died of head trauma suffered in the September, 2013 attack inside the apartment they shared on Yorkland Drive NW in Alpine Township.
The two got into an argument about Wilson not paying his share of expenses, according to testimony during the two-week trial.
In a fit of rage, Wilson killed his cousin, and then told investigators is was self defense, Kent County Assistant Prosecutor Greg Boer said. Instead of calling 911, Wilson took his cousin's wallet and left.
Wilson moved in last year after getting out of prison. He served more than five years for a 2007 manslaughter conviction in Barry County. In that case, Wilson, who was 17 at the time, fatally stabbed a 15-year-old Orangeville boy when the boy asked Wilson to pay back $80 he owed.
"This is his second homicide at a very young age,'' Boer said of Wilson. "I think the family was a little leery of Kyle because of his prior conviction, and to have him be the cause of Brandon's death, I think just sickens them.''
In addition to second-degree murder, jurors also convicted Wilson of larceny from a building and possession of marijuana and methadone.
Judge Mark Trusock ordered Wilson held without bond pending sentencing on June 5. Second-degree murder is punishable by any term up to life in prison, but the penalty can be increased because of the 2007 manslaughter conviction.
