Former Marine Guilty of Killing Man Over Dog Pee

A former Marine on Friday was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of a man whose puppy urinated on his award-winning lawn.

Charles Clements, 69, faces a prison sentence of four to 20 years with an option for probation.

A Will County jury took about four hours to find Clements guilty of shooting Joshua Funches, 23, during an argument outside Clements' home.

Funches' family declined to comment and appeared upset as they exited the courtroom, having wanted Clements convicted on first-degree charges. 

In May 2009, as Funches passed Clements' home while walking his fox terrier, the dog lifted its leg and relieved itself, witnesses said.  The two men got into an argument. Clements then pulled out a gun and shot Funches in the abdomen, police said.

Funches later died of his injuries. He was the father of two children, ages 1 and 4.

Having repeatedly earned University Park's lawn upkeep award, Clements often verbally harassed anyone who stepped near or on his precious grass, neighbors said.

Clements later claimed he shot Funches in self-defense.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Dec. 21.

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