Elma man found guilty of first-degree murder, arson in 2016 case

Three special verdicts by jury could mean Jacob Eveland will spend more than 400 months in prison

A jury found Jacob Eveland guilty on all counts Friday, including first-degree murder, first-degree arson and three special verdicts that could allow Superior Court Judge David Edwards to go above and beyond the maximum of 347 months in prison when he’s sentenced.

Eveland was arrested June 7, 2016, accused of shooting and stabbing to death Roy N. Jones, 45, of Elma, after investigators responded to reports of gunshots and a fire at Eveland’s Elma home. Eveland, 36, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at his arraignment July 11, 2016, but according to Grays Harbor County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Jason Walker that plea was quickly withdrawn. Eveland has been in the Grays Harbor County Jail on $1 million bondable bail since his arrest.

The murder trial started Tuesday, said Walker. The verdict was handed down just after 1 p.m. Friday.

Along with first-degree murder and arson charges, the jury returned three special verdicts — factors that can be considered by the judge that allow him to give an exceptional sentence, one that exceeds the usual range provided by statute. The special verdicts were, according to Walker, Eveland committed the crime with a firearm, he committed the crime with a deadly weapon and “he acted with an egregious lack of remorse.”

The standard sentencing range for Eveland’s crimes would be 261 to 347 months, but the firearm enhancement tacks on another 60 months immediately, and the deadly weapon another 36 months.

“With the egregious lack of remorse the judge can go over the standard range,” said Walker.