Kirkland resident Jayvone Jerome Blake was convicted of first-degree murder in a Snohomish County courtroom Monday in the shooting death of Marquise Brown in 2010.

Blake, who will turn 25 next week, was convicted after just two weeks of testimony and three days of deliberation. Blake, who could receive up to 31 years in prison, will be sentenced June 3.

Blake was arrested at a Lynnwood apartment a few days after an argument over prescription painkillers turned violent on the morning of June 23, according to Everett police.

Neighbors called police at 2:30 a.m. after hearing gunfire. The witnesses said they saw a group of men walking together when they stopped to talk. One of the men fell to the ground after witnesses heard a loud "pop." The remaining men then left the neighborhood.

Police found Brown lying on his side, in a pool of blood with a bullet wound in his forehead, according to court documents.

Everett police did not know the identification of the victim until Browns' relative came forward with suspicions he had been shot after receiving a voicemail message from someone who had witnessed the shooting. The voice message included the sound of a gunshot and then running, along with a conversation between several people who were discussing whether “Jay,” had shot “Y.G.,” a nickname that Brown used, according to police.

The message led police to a witness who said that Brown and Blake were involved in a deal for the powerful prescription painkiller Oxycontin and Brown had sold Blake fake pills.

The two were reportedly meeting to discuss the dispute when Blake shot Brown at close range, according to court documents.

Contact Kirkland Reporter Regional Assistant Editor Matt Phelps at mphelps@kirklandreporter.com or 425-822-9166 ext. 5052.

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