Jean Claude Doricien

VALDOSTA — Jean Claude Doricien was found guilty of felony murder by a Lowndes County jury Wednesday.

Doricien was convicted for the Oct. 24, 2017, shooting death of 39-year-old Tovara Flowers. The incident took place at the 600 block of East Jane Street at Ora Lee West.

The 31-year-old Valdosta man was also found guilty of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of marijuana (less than an ounce). The jury made its decision in Lowndes County Superior Court after about 20 minutes of deliberating.

Doricien was sentenced to life in prison with the eligibility of parole after 30 years for felony murder and aggravated assault plus five consecutive years for firearm possession.

Southern Circuit Judge Brian McDaniel also sentenced Doricien to 12 months for misdemeanor possession of marijuana, which will run concurrent with the felony murder sentencing.

Flowers was shot five times in the back with a Rossi .38-caliber revolver, Assistant Southern District Attorney Cathy Helms said.

Defense attorney Jason Moon argued the shooting was in self-defense during the trial, saying Doricien told law-enforcement officials he’d been robbed while buying marijuana and was afraid for his life.

Someone other than Flowers put a gun to Doricien’s head and demanded money, Moon said during opening statements.

During closing statements, Moon said Doricien doesn’t remember how many times he shot Flowers.

“He remembers the fear in his mind,” Moon said.

Doricien was worried about his son and feared never seeing him again, Moon said during closing arguments.

“How many times did you hear him say, ‘I was robbed. I was afraid. I was scared,’” he said.

Helms said Doricien’s story kept changing during his police interview calling it an “improbable story.” She said Doricien told police officers he retrieved the gun “to get his money back or his weed.”

“This was a senseless, cowardly killing over $25 for some weed,” she said.

During the trial, Doricien chose not to testify on his behalf.

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.