BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — A Burke County man will face years behind bars after pleading guilty to stabbing his neighbor to death in October 2017.
In court today, Channel 9 learned the suspect Gerald Buff thought his neighbor Jimmy Causby had stolen a welder from him.
[ [RELATED: Police arrest suspect accused of stabbing, killing Burke County man] ]
"He told them that Mr. Causby had stolen a welder from him, so he struck him. When asked what happened, the defendant said, 'I went berserk. I just went berserk,'" prosecutor Michelle Lippert said.
His attorney said the day of the murder, Buff had also taken Xanax, done meth, and drank alcohol.
Causby's wife told the judge her husband helped to start an orphanage in Nairobi, Africa.
(Gerald Buff)
"He loved those kids. And, even here, when he saw a child he'd give them a dollar. No matter what he'd give that kid a dollar," Sherry Causby said.
Family members said after returning from Africa, a shoulder injury led to problems for Causby involving pain pills.
Buff also struggled with addiction after a serious head injury years earlier.
"You got confusion from this head injury. You've got increased hostility and anger issues that has beyond the norm," Defense Attorney Michael Edwards said.
The judge sentenced Buff to 14 years in prison.
Sherry Causby said she hopes the story of addiction for both men will help others struggling in the area.
[ALSO READ: Woman robbed, stabbed after winning money at Catawba County gaming business]
"I'm a firm believer in Jesus Christ. Whatever he says is what he says. Justice will still be served whether on this earth or after the fact," Sherry said.
The judge also ordered Buff to pay back the $9,000 in funeral costs and to have no further contact with the Causby Family.