Jacksonville Man Convicted of 2015 Attempted Murder of Girlfriend

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces today that Joshua Council, 29, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Attempted Murder in the First Degree. Council, a convicted felon who was released from prison less than three months before the shooting, now faces mandatory life in state prison as a Prison Release Reoffender. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Bruce Anderson Jr. on Sept. 25, 2015.

On the night of Oct. 24, 2015, Council shot his girlfriend multiple times after an argument took place at his cousin’s house. Shortly after the shooting, the victim was located in the carport of a neighboring residence in life-threatening condition. On the way to the hospital, paramedics performed lifesaving measures and learned from the victim the shooter was Council. After extensive surgery, the victim was able to provide police with details about the incident. She later recanted her previous statements in court and said she did not remember anything about the event. However, evidence of the victim’s statement to paramedics, cellphone records, and witness testimony all served to detail Council’s actions that night.

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Chris Huband and Trey Atkinson.