EDWARDSVILLE — A jury found a St. Louis man guilty of first-degree murder Wednesday in the Alton killing of a romantic rival.

Stanford Stokes, 44, of St. Louis, shot and killed 32-year-old Jarred Hayes on Nov. 7, 2023, at a residence on Seventh Street in Alton, according to a release from Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine.

Evidence showed that Stokes went to the Alton home and forced his way into a bedroom after hearing his former girlfriend inside with Hayes.

Assistant State's Attorney Audrey Paulda told jurors that Stokes became angry "and he took that anger out on Jarred Hayes."

Stokes claimed that he took a gun from his former girlfriend's purse and fired in self-defense after he saw a gun in Hayes' possession.

Stokes inadvertently left a voicemail recording of the shoo

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