Man accused of killing Pittsburgh U-Haul employee, leading police on chase in stolen truck found guilty of murder
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A jury found a man accused of killing a U-Haul employee, stealing a truck and leading police on a chase in 2021 guilty of second-degree murder.
Braijon Burton is accused of fatally shooting Jacob Jaillet at the U-Haul store on Washington Boulevard in July 2021. He was also found guilty on several other charges, including robbery of a motor vehicle, one of two aggravated assault charges and recklessly endangering others. Second-degree murder carries a life without parole sentence.
After Burton shot Jaillet, police said he stole a truck and led police on a chase that ended with a crash on Route 28. Burton also allegedly fired a shot at another vehicle on Route 28. The vehicle was hit, but the driver wasn't injured.
After hours of deliberations that started on Friday, the word came at 3 p.m. Monday of guilty. It was the word Jacob's father Jeff and the more than 20 family and friends wanted to hear.
"Relief. It's been a long road, and it's justice for Jake," Jeff Jaillet said.
Jaillet died at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital a few days later. Jurors saw video of Burton going in and out of the U-Haul before the shooting and heard the 911 calls in the immediate aftermath.
"Amazing case. Made, in my opinion, an easy decision," Jeff Jaillet said.
Jurors had questions and couldn't seem to agree on a verdict. They ultimately agreed on second-degree as opposed to first-degree.
"I figured it was an open and shut case. When you hear that, from the defensive standpoint, they're going to be looking for that. That was the best shot they had. We were nervous but, in the end, justice was served," Jeff Jaillet said inside the Allegheny County Courthouse.
After the verdict came down, there were tears and hugs with everyone gathered to remember Jacob. He was just 21 at the time of the shooting, but his father says he did so much in such a short time.
"He's an amazing, amazing man. At only 21 years old, he's the greatest man I'll ever know," Jeff said about his son while holding back tears.
Burton still has to be formally sentenced. That will come in 90 days.
