Despite his own testimony of self-defense, a 22-year-old Abita Springs man was found guilty of second-degree murder Wednesday, ending a three-day trial that climaxed with the killer’s mother fainting and two altercations erupting between rival family members inside the courthouse, court and law enforcement officials confirmed.

Daniel Richardson faces a mandatory life sentence for unleashing a hail of six bullets from a .38 caliber in October 2006 that killed Quincy White, 28, on Rose Street of Louisiana Highway 36, west of Abita Springs.

The 12-person jury deliberated for roughly two hours before returning with the guilty verdict, 22nd Judicial Court spokesman Rick Wood said. Richardson is accused of arguing with White outside a friend’s home during the early Saturday morning hours of Oct. 28, 2006, a move that happened often over the years as Richardson constantly tried to fight off White’s bullying antics, Richardson testified. At the party, White lunged at Richardson, ripping his coat.

Richardson could deal with it no more, Defense Attorney Jerry Fontenot said later.

Richardson, who testified he was tired of being picked on, jogged three blocks away to his trailer and returned with the gun, firing six shots, including one blast to the chest and another to the forehead, St. Tammany Parish Chief Deputy Coroner Michael DeFatta testified.

White was found slumped over his girlfriend’s car, hazard lights blinking. He later died at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. An autopsy revealed White likely ingested cocaine and ecstasy at the party, DeFatta testified.

Throughout the trial, prosecutor Julie Knight portrayed Richardson as a gangster who took the law into his own hands, settling a dispute with a gun.

But Fontenot described Richardson a young man, who was 20 at the time, fearful for his life and fed up with White’s constant put downs.

No murder weapon was ever found. Prosecutor Scott Gardner wanted to know where the murder weapon was located, repeating the question over and over when Richardson’s mother Marilyn Hall took the stand.

She screamed back, saying she didn’t know and was tired of dealing with the ordeal. Later fuming over the line of questioning, she fainted outside the courtroom, Sheriff’s Office spokesman George Bonnett said.

Crowds gathered. Emotions soared and meanwhile separate altercations erupted in the courthouse between family members of Richardson and White.

Later, Sheriff Jack Stain and roughly 20 deputies calmed the area, ensuring no other altercations erupted, Bonnett said.

It was unclear if anyone was charged with the fights.