Man who shot neighbor in lawn quarrel convicted

A Will County jury has rejected a 69-year-old University Park man's contention that he was acting in self-defense when he fatally shot a 23-year-old neighbor whose puppy urinated on his manicured lawn.

The jury on Friday found retired truck driver and former Marine Charles Clements guilty of second-degree murder.

But the Chicago Tribune reports that Clements was allowed to remain free on bond pending his scheduled Dec. 21 sentencing before Circuit Court Judge Daniel Rozak.

Clements shot and killed neighbor Joshua Funches on May 9 during a quarrel that began when Funches' fox terrier urinated on Clements' lawn.

Authorities said Funches punched Clements at one point, but was unarmed, while Clements was carrying a .45 caliber automatic.