Flagstaff Man Charged With Killing His Landlord Is Found Guilty Of Second Degree Murder

A man accused of stabbing his landlord to death in Flagstaff back in 2017 has been found guilty of second-degree murder. Twenty-three-year-old James Womble appeared in court Friday as the jury rendered their verdict. He was arrested on a second-degree murder charge after he allegedly stabbed 63-year-old Peter Gillespie six-to-eight times with a pair of scissors after they were involved in a tenant-landlord dispute in July of 2017. Gillespie later passed away from his injuries. Womble pleaded not guilty, saying he was attacked by Gillespie and was defending himself. His lawyer Adam Zickerman says they will discuss appealing the verdict. Sentencing for Womble is set for June 5th at 1 p.m. at the Coconino County Courthouse.