A Novi man who was convicted of murdering his 84-year-old neighbor while he was out on parole for another killing will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

An Oakland County jury deliberated for a little more than an hour in September before returning its verdict against 47-year-old Peter Gerard Jones.

The Detroit Free Press reports he was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the chance for parole — the mandatory term for first-degree murder.

Bernice Schaufele’s body was found Jan. 13 in her home in the 20900 block of West Glen Haven Circle at the Country Place condo complex, located near 8 Mile and Meadowbrook roads, about 20 miles northwest of Detroit.

Schaufele’s daughter found the body when she’d come to check on her mother after she failed to show up for a doctor’s appointment.

Authorities say Jones, who lived two doors down from Schaufele, strangled and stabbed her and then stole money and jewelry to buy crack cocaine.

He’d served time after he pleaded no contest to manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of a Detroit man in 1997 but was free parole when he killed again.

A Novi man has been found guilty of killing his 84-year-old neighbor.

The Detroit Free Press says an Oakland County jury deliberated for a little more than an hour Friday before returning its verdict against Peter Gerard Jones.

The 47-year-old faces mandatory life in prison after being convicted of first-degree felony murder and first-degree murder in the death of Bernice Schaufele.

Schaufele’s body was found Jan. 13 in her home in the 20900 block of West Glen Haven Circle at the Country Place condo complex, located near 8 Mile and Meadowbrook roads, about 20 miles northwest of Detroit.

Schaufele’s daughter had come to check on her after she failed to show up for a doctor’s appointment.

Authorities say Jones, an ex-convict whose criminal history includes two murders, killed Schaufele  and then stole money and jewelry to buy crack cocaine.

The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office said Schaufele died of “near strangling and a stab wound to the neck.

Jones, who lived two doors down from Schaufele, was out on parole at the time of the killing for another violent crime. He pleaded no contest to manslaughter after authorities say he fatally stabbed a Detroit man in 1997.

Peter Gerard Jones, 46, has been charged with murder after his 84-year-old neighbor was found dead in her Novi condo.

Bernice Schaufele was excited for a big move. The 84-year-old Novi woman was planning on moving out of her condo on West Glen Haven Circle and heading to North Carolina where she’d be close to one of daughters. But Bernice would never make her much anticipated move.

One of Bernice’s daughters found her dead on the first floor of her home Monday around 2:45 p.m.

According to the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s office, Bernice Schaufele died from “near strangulation” and a stab wound to the neck.

Jones, a parolee, lived with his mother close-by and piqued a police officer’s interest after he began asking questions as the officer cordoned off the area around the scene of the crime.

He was taken in for questioning and during the execution of search warrants at his home and garage, police found small valuables allegedly stolen from Bernice.

Novi police say Jones has convictions for two prior homicides.

It feels like this is “somebody else’s life,” said Sharon Schaufele, one of Bernice’s daughters, about the family’s devastating loss.

Bernice and her loved ones were excited about what was supposed to be her upcoming move to North Carolina.

We’re told after Bernice’s husband died 22 years ago and she loved spending time with her daughters and enjoyed shopping.

Jones is currently being held without bond and is expected to be back in court next week.