James Malec, the stepfather of UFC veteran Justin Eilers, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter Thursday and will face up to 15 years in prison for the killing of Eilers, reports The Idaho Statesman.Malec shot and killed Eilers (pictured left) during a "domestic disturbance" at a family get together last Christmas in the home of Eilers' mother in Nampa, Idaho.
According to the Idaho Statesman, Eilers' mother believed justice was served, though she said the only justice she wanted was for her son to come back to her.
The 49-year-old Malec, who claimed he acted in self defense, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter after around eight hours of deliberation by the jury. Prosecutors had sought a second-degree murder conviction which carries a sentence of life in prison.
Eilers (13-7-1) is a longtime member of the Miletich Fighting Systems and in his last fight in July 2008, challenged for the first-ever EliteXC heavyweight title in a losing effort against Antonio Silva.
Eilers, who competed for the UFC from August 2004 to February 2006, also challenged for the UFC heavyweight belt at UFC 53 in June 2005 against then-champion Andrei Arlovski.
Last December was a tragic period for MMA. Eilers' death at 30 was one week after UFC, WEC and IFL veteran Justin Levens, 28, was found with his wife both dead from gunshot wounds in their condo in Laguna Niguel, Calif.
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