A jury convicted Eric Saub for the killing of Jean Marie Smith. Turkey hunters in Isle of Wight County found her body in 2015.
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, Va. (WVEC) -- A jury found Eric Saub guilty Wednesday for the murder of Jean Marie Smith.
Hunters found Smith's body in woods along Hatcher's Lane off Courthouse Highway in 2015.
Investigators said Saub and Smith met online.
Smith, who was 25 years old at the time of her death, was shot. She was a former sailor.
Days after the turkey hunters found Smith's body, police in Hampton charged Saub with identity theft and fraud charges against Smith's grandmother.
Jurors convicted Saub of Second Degree Murder and began discussing a sentence shortly after delivering their verdict.
Smith’s mother, Mary Jean Smith, was emotional as she spoke to jurors about her daughter. She said Jean was kind, trusting, and loving.
“Prison is the right place for him,” Smith said. “I’m grateful [the sentence recommendation] is not less.”
Inside the courtroom Wednesday, Saub maintained his innocence and told the jurors “I am not guilty, and I cannot apologize for something I didn't do.” Saub also added, “I am sorry you blame me, but her blood will not be on my hands.”
The prosecution said Saub paraded his criminal history. Saub was previously convicted more than a dozen times for financial and identity-type frauds in Oregon.
Smith said she would like to forgive, but it's tough.
“I could try to forgive if there was remorse, but he has no remorse,” Saub said.
Saub represented himself during the trial. The jury also found him guilty of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Saub told investigators back in 2015 he lived with Smith in Hampton at the time of the murder. He also told investigators that he and Smith had just got back to Virginia from Florida the day of her murder.
Court documents said there was evidence that placed Smith alone with Saub on the 15th.
Investigators also said Smith and Saub were at the spot where hunters found her body around 2:30 that afternoon.
Saub initially denied ever being in Isle of Wight County, but later admitted to detectives to being at that wooded area on at least two other times.
Court documents also said Saub turned his cell phone off, then destroyed or deactivated it on the afternoon of the 15th.
Then the next day, the day after he murdered Smith, he bought a new phone and then wiped his old phone clean.
Investigators said Saub never called Smith after her murder, which is inconsistent with his previous call history.
Court documents said there were tire tread marks on the path leading up the where hunters found Smith's body. Those tire marks were consistent with the tread on the car Saub drove.
The jurors are recommending a sentence of 33-years in prison.
Formal sentencing is July 10th at 9:30 a.m.
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