Douglas Every found guilty of Manslaughter 1 on Friday

After approximately two days of deliberations, the jury in the Murder trial for 63-year old Douglas Every, of the Town of Tioga in Tioga County, N.Y., rendered a verdict of guilty on charges of Manslaughter 1 for the stabbing death of 39-year old Milton Jump Jr. – a fatal series of events that took place on Oct. 23, 2013 at the defendant’s Thorn Hollow Road residence.

Following the verdict, Douglas Every was taken from the courthouse in handcuffs and remanded to the Tioga County Jail in Owego, N.Y. to await sentencing – which will take place on Jan. 30, 2015 at 10 a.m.

It was approximately 9:30 a.m. on Friday,

and less than a half hour after the jury arrived to continue their deliberations, that they delivered a note to Tioga County Judge Gerald Keene that they had reached a verdict in the case.

After the jury re-entered the room, the jury foreman was tasked with reading the verdict, stating that Douglas Every was found not-guilty on charges of Second Degree Murder, but that they found him guilty, unanimously, of Manslaughter 1, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Douglas Every was also found not guilty on the Evidence Tampering charges.

Douglas Every showed little emotion when

the verdict was read, withstanding a deep look of disappointment and sadness.

The defense in the case, George Awad, addressed the court to request that Douglas Every remain free on continued bail until the sentencing date, which has been set for Jan. 30, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the Tioga County Courthouse. Judge Keene denied that request, and Douglas Every was immediately remanded to the Tioga County Jail.

The jury was thanked for their duty, and dismissed.

When the verdict was read, those who had been in the courtroom throughout the trial were shedding many tears, and the room became emotion-filled.

Gladys Jump, the victim’s mother, shed tears and turned to her husband, Milton Jump Sr., for comfort following the verdict.

Following the verdict, Gladys Jump, of Barton, N.Y. stated she was happy that justice was served, adding, “The outcome doesn’t change the fact that my son [Milton Jump Jr.] is dead.”

The district attorney in the case, Kirk Martin, said that he was happy with the outcome, and felt that justice was served.

“Milton Jump was the victim of a senseless crime,” said Martin.

The defense attorney, George Awad, was disappointed with the verdict, and stated that an appeal will definitely be filed. Attorney Thomas Cline assisted George Awad in the defense.

“We didn’t feel he had intent to hurt anyone,” said Attorney Awad.

Tioga County, New York’s 1st Assistant District Attorney, Eric Gartenman, felt the verdict was just and fair.

But the emotions in the courtroom provided the real story, which is one of sadness by both the victim’s family, as well as family and friends of the defendant that because of one action, many lives were destroyed, and a life lost. Douglas Every was a longtime realtor in the area, and was known by many socially, and through business.

Throughout the trial, those that knew Douglas Every sat in the courtroom each day, as well as family and friends of Milton Jump, the victim.

Following a grueling two day jury selection, and then days of witness testimony by both the prosecution and the defense, which included graphic photos of the autopsy and crime scene; and a story of a shaky domestic relationship that was fueled by alcohol during an altercation, the outcome ended up in a conviction of a Manslaughter 1 charge, and a grieving family that had to bury their loved one on Oct. 28, 2013 – just five days after the stabbing occurred.

Although psychological testimony, witness testimony by 85-year old James Atwell who was cared for by Milton Jump Jr., and investigators who worked within the crime scene was given, the conclusion, in this case is that Milton Jump Jr. died from a fatal stab wound to his chest that severed his heart.

As stated in closing arguments by District Attorney Kirk Martin, “Milton Jump did not have to die,” and stated that Douglas Every “brought the knife into the argument”.

Throughout testimony by witnesses brought in by both the defense and the prosecution, the presence of alcohol and drugs were mentioned several times, as well as psychological evaluations of the defendant that included unspecified anxiety and early onset dementia that may have altered his perception during the altercation.

There was also testimony by a witness at the scene, Atwell, who was wheelchair bound and suffered from several strokes that impaired his speech.

And although Atwell’s testimony on the stand, differed in some parts than the statement initially given to investigators, there was one thing that was sure in the end, and that is that 39-year old Milton Jump Jr. died the evening of Oct. 23, 2013 from a four and a half inch stab wound into his chest.

This one fact in the evidence, which Douglas Every had admitted to in his initial interrogation and calls that evening, is the only factor that could not be disputed, and most likely led to the verdict that was rendered on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 – a little over one year following the fatal incident.

This conviction of manslaughter in the first degree carries a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison. Sentencing will take place at the Tioga County Courthouse in Owego, N.Y. on Jan. 30, 2015 at 10 a.m. for Douglas Every.