IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Vanbergen found guilty of first-degree manslaughter

LOWVILLE- The jury in the Jacob Vanbergen murder trial has come up with a verdict.

As of late Friday afternoon, WWNY-TV reported that Vanbergen was found guilty for first-degree manslaughter in the death of his friend and employer, Brandon Shepker.

With that said, Vanbergen was found not guilty of a much higher charge of murder in the second-degree.

Vanbergen was accused of strangling Shepker to death at the Ridgeview Lodge in early January, 2024.

It took jurors about 5-hours to deliberate before returning their verdict.

Vanbergen will be sentenced later in August, as he is expected to receive up to 25-years in prison.

His defense team plans to file an appeal based on the concept that there was no proof offered “that he only intended to cause serious physical injury to Shepker.”

Lewis County Courthouse image.