BLOOMINGTON - A 21-year-old Bloomington man was convicted Friday of aggravated battery with a firearm and acquitted of unlawful use of a weapon in connection with an April 6 shooting outside Evergreen Apartments.

The jury deliberated about four hours before returning the verdict against Keiahty Jones.

Assistant State's Attorney Bill Workman said after he was pleased with the jury's decision.

"We've had too many incidents of violence in this community. Hopefully, this sends a message that it won't be tolerated," said Workman.

Defense attorney Scott Kording was disappointed with the decisions that came after 3 ½ days of testimony.

"We're going to explore Mr. Jones' options," said Kording.

Jones is eligible for six to 30 years when he is sentenced Oct. 28.

In 3½ days of testimony, jurors heard evidence that painted two different pictures of the 21-year-old defendant.

McLean County Assistant State's Attorney Bill Workman told jurors that three people injured with birdshot from a shotgun fired by Eddie Spice knew who was at the west Bloomington housing complex. He said the incident was in retaliation for a fight earlier in the day involving several young men.

Spice also faces charges in connection with the shooting. Two juveniles who were in the car have not been charged.

"Eddie Spice was the shooter. He did the firing but he did not act alone," Workman told jurors in closing arguments Friday.

Workman said he was puzzled by the defense testimony of Jamie Smith and Dale Shadowens, two residents of North Morris Avenue, who said they saw Jones parked on their street with car problems shortly after the 5 p.m. shooting.

Smith testified he saw three young men run from the direction of Evergreen Apartments toward Morris Avenue.

In his testimony, Jones said he was stopped by police shortly after he gave the three men a ride. He said he knew one of the minors from a neighborhood on West Market Street, where he formerly lived.

Defense lawyer Scott Kording asked jurors to question why Smith and Shadowens would fabricate their testimony.

"They were completely disinterested. They didn't know anybody," Kording said of the residents.

Kording said inconsistencies existed in the recollections of witnesses at the apartment complex. He said the testimony of the juveniles who placed Jones in the car should be considered "with great caution" because they were not charged.