The man who beat his uncle to death in a Clarkton home has been found guilty.
Gabriel James McDowell, 21, was a teenager when he assaulted Leon Leach in a home off Ida’s Lane in Clarkton. He was found guilty of first degree murder, and could face up to life in prison.
The killing occurred Dec. 6, 2017. A woman who was checking on Leach found him covered with a blanket. Robbery was the motive in the case, investigators said.
McDowell was already a suspect in several break-ins, and had been arrested after a stolen 9mm handgun was found his vehicle at West Bladen High School just before the murder. He was arrested with two other teens on charges of first degree murder, but the other suspects were later released when detectives found no evidence that they were involved.
A Bladen County jury handed down the guilty verdict today, according to the Bladen Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney Jon David.
Sentencing will take place May 2 in Bladen County Superior Court.
