East Moline man found guilty of murdering man thought to have died naturally

More than a year after a Davenport, Iowa man was found dead in his apartment, an East Moline, Illinois man was convicted of murder.

Stephen Allan Boeding was found guilty of first degree murder on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, according to a statement from Scott County Attorney Mike Walton.

Related: Davenport man’s body exhumed to confirm his death was murder

In June 2013, previous reports indicated that police were called to check on 48-year-old Kevin O’Connell from Davenport, who had not been seen for about two weeks. Police found O’Connell’s body in his bed in an advanced stage of decomposition.

By August 2013 police connected 37-year-old Boeding to O’Connell’s death after receiving an anonymous tip. Investigators were told Boeding was drinking with O’Connell and that Boeding choked O’Connell to death.

“Judge [Thomas] Reidel found the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that on May 25, 2013 Boeding strangled Kevin O’Connell to death,” Walton's statement said.

The verdict was read in open court after a weeklong trial, according to a statement Captain Dale Sievert with the Davenport Police Department.

“Boeding waived jury and raised an insanity defense and self-defense,” Walton's statement said.

Sentencing was scheduled for December 4, 2013 at 9 a.m.  First degree murder is a Class A felony that carries a mandatory life sentence without parole.