A jury convicted an ex-con Thursday of attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier in 2008.

The six-person jury deliberated two hours and 45 minutes before returning its verdict against Tyrone Hartsfield, 33, at the end of a nine-day trial.

Hartsfield faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced in December. He still faces a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, but it's not clear if prosecutors will pursue it.

Hartsfield was visibly shaken by the verdict and his sister went into hysterics and had to be led from the courtroom.

After the verdict, Hartsfield surprised his attorneys and the judge when he asked to make a statement.

"I feel like I didn't receive a fair trial," he said, adding his case should have been moved to another city.

He also complained that his trial was held amid the Florida-Georgia football game and in the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Collier watched much of the closing arguments while seated in his wheelchair in the courtroom gallery. He was shot six times as he waited in his car outside a Jacksonville apartment building. Collier was paralyzed from the waist down and his left leg was amputated.

After the verdict, Collier said he felt the jury made the right decision.

"Stuff like this has to end," he said. "I can't smile because this is sickening to me?"

Collier said he was able to endure because of his faith and his family.

"My life is good," he said.

In closing arguments, Assistant State Attorney Bernie de la Rionda reminded the jury of the attack on Collier.

"Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, is a day that Richard Collier will never forget. How could he? He's got a constant reminder every time he tries to move," de la Rionda said.

Thursday was Collier's first appearance at the trial since he testified on the opening day. Both he and his teammate, Kenny Pettway, testified they did not see anything when a gunman fired six shots into Collier's Escalade. Continued...