A jury convicted a Gary man Friday for fatally shooting a man inside a Little Caesar’s on Garfield Street in Gary.
Jami Long, 24, was charged with murder and a gun enhancement in the June 14, 2024 death of Kejuan Patton, 26, of Gary. He argued the shooting was in self-defense and testified on his own behalf.
Prosecutors alleged Patton was part of a group that beat Long and stole his gun a month earlier.
His sentencing is April 3.
Jurors deliberated for about four hours. Long will be sentenced to murder, plus an agreed 10-year term for the gun enhancement, according to a prosecutor’s office spokeswoman.
In closing arguments Friday, Deputy Prosecutor Bernie Johnsen discounted that Long thought his life was in danger. He went back to a vehicle to get a gun before the confrontation with Patton, who wasn’t armed.
Long rode with his girlfriend’s cousin to the nearby gas station, then the pizzeria. He rejected Long’s testimony that he needed to be there to get the pizzas.
“It doesn’t make sense to risk your life for food you don’t pay for,” Johnsen said.
After the shooting, Long was extradited from Minnesota.
Defense lawyer Herb Shaps told jurors that Long’s fears were justified.
He argued Patton telling Stacy Haney — his ride — to leave was a sign he would get violent.
There was “no evidence” Long tried to track Patton down. It was a coincidence both men were there. His client testified he was afraid for his life.
“He had to take action, or he would be killed,” the lawyer said.
Johnsen retorted that Haney overheard Long say he would shoot Patton over the phone. Prosecutors again played a video showing Patton getting gunned down just inside the doorway.
Police responded at 7:20 p.m. on June 14, 2024 to the pizzeria, 2560 Garfield St.
Haney said she dropped off Patton and her daughter, 9, to get pizzas. Within a minute after Long and another man came back from the adjacent gas station, Patton sent the girl running back to the car to protect her.
When the woman called Patton, she overheard a “tense” conversation between Patton and Long. Patton said he would fight the man, but wouldn’t use a gun.
She left, then tried to call Patton again, who didn’t answer. By the time she came back, emergency vehicles were already there.
