After nearly 12 hours of deliberations, a Schuylkill County jury found Eric Mumaw guilty of third degree murder in the shooting death of David D. Gombert of Beaver Meadows.

Gombert was shot is Mumaw’s Kline Township home on the morning of Nov. 1, 2016. According to testimony presented during the trial, hostile Facebook posts escalated a romantic rivalry between Mumaw and Gombert. Mumaw’s former girlfriend had become friends with Gombert.

There were four charges related to the murder — first degree, third degree, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.

The jury returned a verdict of third degree murder.

The jury also found Mumaw, 32, guilty of lesser charges, including reckless endangerment, prohibited offensive weapons, possessing an instrument of crime, simple and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and abuse of a corpse.

He was found not guilty of tampering with physical evidence.

Mumaw is scheduled to be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 9, 2020.

Prosecutor Mike Stine said after the verdict, “It’s actually the results I predicted it would be. I think that finally there has been some justice here.”

Stine will be looking at the maximum sentence for the crime, 20 to 40 years. He is hoping Mumaw will serve consecutive sentences on the lesser charges.

Stine said the crux of the case was the Pennsylvania State Police testimony and the work the troopers did to investigate and develop the case.

Mumaw showed no reaction when the verdict was read. Seven sheriff’s deputies lined the courtroom to ward off any problems with family members on either side.

Shortly after the verdict was read, Gombert’s parents, Raymond and Colleen hugged Stine and his co-counsel Tom Pellish.

They also hugged state police corporal Alan Zulick, who was present through the entire proceeding.

Stine said, “The family thanked everyone very sincerely. They are a wonderful, close knit family.”

According to testimony, Mumaw had been sending Gombert harassing messages. He went to state police but was told they couldn’t help so he went to confront Mumaw. They struggled and Mumaw filed two shots, one going through his shorts and one into his chest. He was also punched in the mouth by Mumaw, who used brass knuckles for the punch.

After the shooting, he dragged Gombert’s body through the garage and outside, where he took pictures and texted his mother before calling 911.

Mumaw, represented by attorney Andrew Katsock, maintained that the shooting was self-defense. He testified that his cellphone accidentally took photos while he was on the 911 call.

The prosecution called 20 witnesses during the 1 1/2 week trial.

Judge Charles Miller heard the case and is scheduled to sentence Mumaw on Jan. 9, 2020.

He has been held without bail in Schuylkill County prison since he was charged.