Man acquitted of murder in 2021 killing; found guilty of reckless homicide

 Man acquitted of murder in 2021 killing; found guilty of reckless homicide

Jeff Wiehe

29th January 2024.

(Getty Images)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – A jury in Allen Superior Court on Friday found a Fort Wayne man not guilty of murder in the Christmas Eve killing of a woman in 2021, but still found him guilty of a lesser reckless homicide charge.

The jury also found 36-year-old Jacob Chacon guilty of using a firearm in the commission of a crime, which can enhance a sentence by up to 20 years.

Chacon now faces up to 26 years in prison.

Court docs: “Jacob please don’t,” man charged in Fort Wayne Christmas Eve shooting

Allen County prosecutors charged Chacon with murder in the death of his then girlfriend, 30-year-old Brittany N. Deck, days after someone shot her in the head.

Jacob Chacon.

According to court documents, Chacon supposedly learned of an affair between Deck and one of his friends shortly before the killing. During an argument about the alleged affair, Chacon is accused of throwing a neck brace at Deck, striking her in the face. At one point, Chacon called an unnamed witness, court documents said. During this phone conversation, the witness could hear Chacon yelling profanities at Deck. The witness eventually told investigators in court documents Deck could be heard saying, “Jacob, please don’t,” followed by a gunshot.

Chacon told the witness to call 911 before saying goodbye, the witness said in court documents.

Fort Wayne police arrived at the home and found Deck suffering from the gunshot wound to her head. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and the Allen County Coroner ultimately ruled her death a homicide.