The Flagler County man accused of strangling his landlord to death over rent and living arrangements was convicted of second-degree murder Thursday after a three-day trial.
The 12-person jury found Erick Elon Niemi, 43, guilty after deliberating for a little less than three hours.
Niemi and his landlord, 76-year-old Leonard Leon Lynn, got into an apparent argument over rent and living arrangements at their R-section home in Palm Coast in June 2013.
Evidence at the trial showed Niemi tripped Leonard Leon Lynn to the ground, straddled him, beat him and then strangled him to death.
Lynn's body was found in a bedroom inside the home on Ryken Lane.
The medical evidence demonstrated Niemi used enough force to break a bone in the victim's neck. Niemi took the stand in his own defense and said he didn't mean to kill Lynn.
After questioning last year, however, Niemi confessed to the murder.
Further evidence showed that Niemi also stole Lynn's vehicle and credit card.
Niemi faces a life in prison. A sentencing hearing has been set for 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8.