JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — An Old Jefferson man has been convicted of first-degree murder in a 2021 fatal stabbing investigation. According to information from Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr., in February of 2021, 42-year-old Jerry Gelpi, who lived in the apartment below 68-year-old Charles Davis, gained access to the victim's apartment and fatally stabbed him. According to a crime scene reconstruction, Gelpi attacked Davis ar the entrance to his bathroom and, during the struggle, stabbed Davis in the neck. Davis either fell or was pushed into his bathtub, where he died after Gelpi continued to stab him, at least 16 times in total. Court documents state Davis had cuts to his right hand, showing signs of attempted self-defense. After the stabbing, Gelpi reportedly went to the kitchen sink to clean the blood off of his hands. He then went back down to his apartment seven minutes after he had walked up to Davis'. Investigation underway after shots fired at federal agents in New Orleans East Court documents state Davis's body was found by his daughter on Feb. 9, 2021, after he hadn't been answering phone calls. Early in the investigation, detectives with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office questioned neighbors and looked at surveillance footage which showed a man leaving Gelpi's apartment at 1:27 a.m. and returning with a bag in hand at 1:34 a.m. When questioned, Gelpi reportedly denied involvement with the homicide and gave the name of a local homeless man as a suspect. TikTok star Mr. Prada arrested, charged with murder in death of Louisiana therapist After his questioning in February 2021, detectives got a hit from the national DNA database linking Gelpi to Davis's apartment. Gelpi was then arrested after arriving at his apartment building, carrying a knife. After his arrest, Gelpi pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The district attorney's office reported that he had not claimed mental illness until he was arrested. Gelpi claimed at trial that he wasn't in control of himself at the time of the murder, that he was "the son of God" and that he did it because Davis was “the strongest demon in my experience.” He also reportedly called detectives in the courtroom demons. Prosecutors argued that, during a pretrial stay at the state mental hospital in Jackson, Louisiana, doctors had determined that Gelpi was "malingering," or, fabricating mental illness to achieve his needs. Florida men arrested after pounds of fentanyl recovered in Slidell traffic stop A separate doctor also evaluated Gelpi and came to the same conclusion, noting that he must have known right from wrong as he attempted to conceal his involvement with the crime by waiting until late at night to kill Davis, cleaned up the blood afterwards, disposed of his own bloody clothing and threw the murder weapon into the Mississippi river. The jury deliberated for 24 minutes on Monday before returning with unanimous verdicts. The district attorney's office didn't seek the death penalty, meaning that life without parole, probation or suspension of sentence is mandatory for the murder. Gelpi was also found guilty of obstruction of justice and eliminating evidence. Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 9. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Photos show NY Republican in blackface as part of Michael Jackson Halloween costume Rain chance will continue on Friday Twin babies who died alongside their mother are youngest-known Helene victims 3 officers convicted in Tyre Nichols fatal beating, 2 acquitted of civil rights charges NASCAR driver to show off 'Talladega Nights' car at Alabama event