MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man was convicted of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse Friday, after killing and later beheading his 63-year-old roommate, Bruce Jefferies, in 2021.
Jefferies' body was found in a suitcase on a street in Central Gardens, on Dec. 12, 2021.
According to Shelby County DA's Office, Julian Summers hit Jefferies in the head with a hammer while he slept in their shared apartment the night of Dec. 12. Summers later beheaded Jeffries with a knife and put his body in a suitcase.
Jefferies was found the same day he was killed. After cleaning up the crime scene, Summers tried to dispose of the body in a dumpster. surveillance footage captured Summers moving a suitcase and leaving a trace of blood behind. Summers was arrested 16 days later, after which he admitted to the crime.
During the trial, Summers again confessed and claimed he had mental health problems. However, witnesses from the West Tennessee Mental Health Institute said Summers was competent, accusing him of malingering by saying he was exaggerating his mental health symptoms.
Summers also provided conflicting testimonies during the trial, offering different versions of what happened, according to the Shelby County DA's Office.
Summers was originally charged with second-degree murder, later being charged and convicted with first degree murder, indicating he planned to and intentionally killed Bruce Jefferies.
He's scheduled to be sentenced on March 7, and is being held in the Shelby County Jail without bond.
