Noah Johnson | Daily Press Delta County Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos, right, listens to closing arguments from Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman Friday.

ESCANABA — A man accused of shooting his ex-father-in-law is awaiting the decision of the jury.

Jacob Cronick, of Bark River, has spent the past five days in Delta County Circuit Court facing two felony charges, including assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and felony firearm.

The jury began its deliberations at 11:40 a.m. Friday and continued into the evening but was unable to reach a verdict. The jury will continue deliberations into the weekend. Check the Daily Press website for updates when the verdict is reached.

The shooting took place on Jan. 21, 2024, when Cronick’s ex-wife, Alexandria “Alex” Parrotta, came to Cronick’s residence to retrieve some of her belongings from the garage at Cronick’s then-home in Escanaba Township with some other people. An altercation broke out, which  culminated in the shooting.

The alleged victim, Eric Parrotta, was shot in the abdomen by Cronick following a dispute over Eric being on his property.

Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman provided her closing arguments Friday,  reminding the jury to consider various questions while deliberating.

“Did the defendant have a duty to retreat? Was the defendant subject to a sudden, fierce, and violent attack by Eric Parrotta? Was the force the defendant used what was necessary at that time? Was the threat the defendant faced at the time he used the gun? The time that he shot that gun? Did the defendant have an honest and reasonable belief of imminent death or serious harm from Eric Parrotta, and that is key,” Wickman said.

Wickman referenced the size difference between Eric and Cronick, saying Cronick wanted the jury to believe he feared Parrotta because of an incident that took place in 2022 when Eric allegedly called Cronick names during a custody exchange.

“The defendant wants you to believe that because of that incident, he feared Eric Parrotta. That this 6’4″, 260-pound man feared Mr. Parrotta, who told you he’s 5’8″ and 130 pounds on a good day,” Wickman said.

Wickman spoke about the incident, saying after the scuffle, the other five individuals, Alex, Eric, John Parrotta, Chris DuBord, and Cody Richards, did not move toward Cronick after he escaped Richards’ grasp.

“Not only are they not looking at him, they don’t make a move towards him,” she said.

Cronick explained in his earlier testimony that he believed Eric to be in possession of a handgun at the time he slapped a phone out of his hand, specifically because it was someone of Eric’s size attacking him.

Cronick had not previously disclosed to police that he believed Eric to have a firearm on the day of the incident. She compared his non-disclosure to the 911 phone call Alex made after the shot.

“You can hear her response to dispatch; He shot him with his f*****g gun. That’s her initial response to what had just occurred. She mentions a gun, where the defendant did not until yesterday,” Wickman said.

She said Cronick recalled certain details about the event when initially speaking with officers but did not mention a gun.

“Those big details versus little details are important,” Wickman said.

She ended her arguments by saying Cronick went beyond what the law allows for self-defense.

“Because the defendant went beyond what the law allows for self-defense and duress and instead used the situation as a chance to get his licks in on someone he was mad at for whatever reason, he is not protected by self-defense or duress. But he is guilty of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and carrying a firearm while committing assault with intent to do great bodily harm. Thank you,” she said.

Defense Attorney Michael Boyle began his closing statement by reminding the jury that the burden of proof is on the prosecution.

“The defendant does not have to prove he acted in self-defense. Instead, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant did not act in self-defense,” Boyle said.

He also asked the jury to imagine Cronick’s circumstances during the incident.

“To Jake (Cronick), he was hit by someone who he feared. But who had never crossed that point and never crossed that threshold (by) striking him. It was a fear, yes, that has been developed over time,” he said.

Boyle said Cronick sought help from the Michigan State Police (MSP), the sheriff’s department, and the court but didn’t receive any help.

“I submit the evidence of this case, the law of this case, the jury instructions of this case; support we stand up, we acquit. Two counts: not guilty, not guilty. I ask that we don’t send him away; we send him home. This is self-defense, and that’s all I’m gonna say,” Boyle said.

Wickman offered a final rebuttal to the jury, saying to remember that Cronick did not disclose to officers that he believed Parrotta to be in possession of a gun. She also mentioned that the size difference matters, and it is included in the jury instructions. She also noted that Cronick knew Parrotta didn’t carry a handgun and never owned one.

“You do not need to go past that honest and rational belief determination. This defendant did not have an honest and reasonable belief that Eric Parrotta — not Cody (Richards), not John (Parrotta), not Alex (Parrotta), not Chris (Parrotta) — that Eric Parrotta, standing 25 feet away from him, turning away and backing away was an imminent threat to his life or to great bodily harm. The defendant was the threat to Eric Parrotta’s life and Eric Parrotta’s great bodily harm. And that is why I’m asking (the jury) to find the defendant guilty of both counts,” Wickman said.