KALAMAZOO, MI — A man who admitted to fatally shooting his neighbor — arguing it was in self-defense — has been found guilty of second-degree murder, court records state.

Eric Andrew Newman testified during the trial that he shot and killed his neighbor, Ronald Erickson, on Sept. 29, 2024, because he feared for his safety.

On Thursday, Aug. 21, Newman outlined the reasons he feared his neighbor, including exchanges they had in the months leading up to Newman shooting and killing Erickson, 53.

A trial began last week and continued with closing statements this week.

“He was going to attack me or somebody,” Newman said from the witness stand. “He was going to hurt somebody.”

The two men once got along as neighbors in Schoolcraft. They would spend time together while Newman was working o

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