EDGARD — A LaPlace man is expected to spend the rest of his life in jail for the brutal killing of his neighbor in September, 2016.

Judge J. Sterling Snowdy sentenced 31-year-old Royce Burse to life in prison without the possibility of probation or parole on March 11. A St. John the Baptist Parish jury found Burse guilty of second degree murder on Feb. 14.

According to prosecutors, the jury deliberated for less than 20 minutes before delivering the verdict.

St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre described the crime scene as “brutal,” saying responding officers and detectives acted quickly and professionally in securing a solid arrest.

“As quick as we made our arrest, it took the jury less than 30 minutes to make a decision,” he said. “You don’t see that too often. I think we got justice, and he got what he deserved.”

Burse was found guilty for shooting and killing 46-year-old Samantha Griffin at her home in the 300 block of East Airline Highway in LaPlace.

One neighbor told L’OBSERVATEUR the killing was premeditated, noting Burse couldn’t afford electricity and often asked for food, beverages and spare change.

The neighbor, who wished not to be identified, said Griffin was “the most wonderful woman.”

“She truly cared for others,” according to her neighbor. “She had the most genuine love and friendship. Her grandson visited often and she had a brand new granddaughter. It’s very unfortunate that they won’t have her in their lives.”

District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut’s office worked the case with assistant district attorney Christopher Cortez leading the prosecution, assisted by William Dieters and Henri Dufresne.

Public defenders Shannon Battiste and Anthony J. Ibert represented Burse.

Prosecutors said Burse shot and killed Griffin in her apartment Sept. 16, 2016, with a Norinco SKS assault rifle, causing “extreme blood loss” as part of a blow that “took the majority of her left arm.”

Eyewitnesses saw Burse in the seconds leading up to Griffin’s death approaching her apartment with the murder weapon in hand. Prosecutors said DNA and ballistics played an essential role in tying the defendant to the murder weapon, which was found in a nearby sugar cane field. Griffin, described by authorities as a single-leg amputee, was unable to defend herself during the attack.

Burse was arrested the day after the shooting for possession of synthetic marijuana and probation violation.

Authorities said Griffin collected rent checks at the apartment complex she and Burse each lived at.

Four days after the killing, detectives booked Burse with second degree murder and possession of a firearm/carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon.