POPLARVILLE — The jury took only 45 minutes to find Kevin Reynolds guilty of the September 2011 murder of Kevin Vandrell.

Wednesday’s verdict marked the end of three days of court proceedings in the Pearl River County Circuit Court that sought to show how Reynolds killed his friend after they engaged in a verbal conflict.

“I’m unbelievably pleased,” said Doris Vandrell, mother of the deceased.

David Gross appeared to be a key witness to the events that led up to the shooting death of Vandrell. Gross testified that Reynolds befriended him shortly after Gross moved to the county from Louisiana.

Their first interaction was unexpected. Gross said Reynolds introduced himself out of the blue, even calling Gross by name and asking for a ride to town. Gross declined and instead went inside his sister-in-law’s home where he lived off Rock Ranch Road. During a subsequent meeting of the two, Gross testified that he was on his way to town when he pulled up to a stop sign. As Gross stopped, Reynolds climbed into the passenger side of Gross’ vehicle and asked for a ride to town. That time Gross took Reynolds to a local quick stop, and even paid for the beer.

On Sept. 31, 2011, Gross testified that he reluctantly gave Reynolds another ride to town, this time so Reynolds could cash a check, purchase some beer and buy a scope for his rifle, which they took to town with them. After buying the beer, Reynolds directed Gross to drive him to some friends’ homes, one of which was Vandrell’s.

When they arrived at about dusk, Reynolds just walked into Vandrell’s home, while Gross waited outside for about five minutes before deciding to follow. Gross testified that when he entered Vandrell’s home, the two men were engaged in a verbal altercation.

Assistant District Attorney Monya Creel Bryan told the Picayune Item that  a friend of Vandrell, Jules Odor, testified shortly after the trial began Monday afternoon that Vandrell was upset because he was sick of Reynolds walking into his home. Odor also testified that Vandrell was concerned about his safety after the altercation, Bryan said.

Reynolds and Gross were chased out of the home by Vandrell, Reynolds said. As the two men drove away, Vandrell left his home, gun in hand, and fired shots into the air to scare the men.

Gross said as they drove off, Reynolds attempted to grab the gun he had with him, but Gross drove back to Reynolds’ home. Once they arrived at Reynolds’ home, Gross testified that he wanted to head home, but Reynolds convinced him to stay and drink some more beer. After about three or four hours of drinking, Reynolds asked Gross to drive him back to Vandrell’s home so he could talk to his friend.

Gross did not recall seeing Reynolds with a gun when they left, but when they arrived near Vandrell’s home he did recall seeing Reynolds head towards Vandrell’s home carrying a rifle. Due to the argument earlier in the day, Gross testified that he chose to park about a block from Vandrell’s home rather than in Vandrell’s driveway.

Reynolds returned to the vehicle about 15 minutes later, asking what Gross had seen or heard, but Gross testified he fell asleep in Reynolds’ absence, so he neither heard nor saw anything. Gross headed home the next morning after spending the night at Reynolds’ home.

Vandrell’s body was found by his mother the next morning when his vehicle was still home and he was supposed to be at work.

It was not until Gross’ children came home from school that he heard about deputies’ and investigators’ vehicles being parked at Vandrell’s home on Chalk Road. Gross testified that he immediately thought he needed to tell the Sheriff’s Department what he knew and headed straight to the sheriff’s office.

Investigators collected evidence at Vandrell’s home,  and at Reynolds’ home after a search warrant was secured. Casings from a .22 caliber firearm appeared to be a second link to whether Reynolds shot Vandrell. Similar casings were found at both homes, and forensic testing conducted by Mississippi Crime Lab Forensic Scientist Lori Bell determined similar individual characteristics were found on the casings, meaning they were fired from the same gun.

Reynolds faced charges of murder and convicted felon in possession of a firearm during the three-day trial. Bryan said Reynolds is known to have been convicted of two felony charges in Louisiana.

Once both parties rested their cases, the jury deliberated on a verdict for about 45 minutes. They could find Reynolds guilty of murder or manslaughter, or innocent in the death of Vandrell. The jury found him guilty of murder and guilty of possessing a firearm with a felonious record.

“Justice was served. It’s taken a year of heart break to have it end up the way it was supposed to,” said Arlene Lavertu, a neighbor of Doris Vandrell and friend of the family.

The prosecution expects to ask Circuit Judge Prentiss Harrell, before whom the trial was held, to declare him a habitual offender, and sentence him to life in prison without parole for the murder conviction and 10 years for the possession of a firearm conviction.

“I think it’s the right outcome. We certainly had plenty of evidence,” Bryan said about the guilty verdict.

Assistant District Attorney Clay Cranford, who prosecuted the case in conjunction with Bryan, said a conviction of murder usually entails a conviction of life, but the prosecution will ask for adding no parole to Reynolds sentence because of his prior convictions.

Reynolds was represented by Mike Adleman of Hattiesburg.

Sentencing for Reynolds is set for Tuesday Aug. 21 at 1 p.m.