WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – An Arlington man has been convicted of killing his friend near Baker Lake nearly seven years ago.

Courts documents state that a jury found 36-year-old Alexander Vanags guilty of first-degree manslaughter on Thursday, Feb. 19 in Whatcom County Superior Court.

It came after the jury found Vanags not guilty of second-degree murder.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that police say Vanags killed his friend, Mark Stebakov, while they were camping near Baker Lake in April 2019. According to the police report, Vanags called authorities to report the killing, claiming that he fought back in self-defense after Stebakov attacked him.

The jury’s decision hinged on whether they believed Vanags intended to kill Stebakov, or if it were his reckless actions that resulted in his friend’s death.

Thursday’s decision brings Vanags near the end of a years-long court saga that had two previous trials both end with a deadlocked jury.

His sentencing is tentatively scheduled for March 17, where he faces up to life in prison.