CASS COUNTY, Mich. -- On Wednesday, a jury convicted 24-year-old Marcus Lamont Long after deliberating on his case for just 45 minutes.

Long was convicted of Assault by Strangulation and Domestic Violence stemming from an incident just outside of Niles back in June of 2024.

The trial began on Tuesday morning and concluded Wednesday morning with the jury returning their “as charged” conviction at 10:45 a.m.

“This defendant’s behavior was extremely dangerous and controlling. He toyed with her life," said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz.

"We greatly appreciate the jury doing their part to insist upon lawful, non-violent behavior in domestic relationships.”

It was agreed by the jury that Long strangled his ex-girlfriend on the night of June 24, 2024.

"The victim, a Niles area woman, testified that she had been in a romantic relationship with Long for about a year prior to ending the relationship the week before the assault. She told the jury that after midnight on June 24, she had put her young baby down to sleep when she heard someone knocking on her window and then her door. Long entered the home and immediately grasped the woman by her throat, driving her into the bedroom," the prosecutor's office stated.

"The victim demonstrated for the jury how Long then strangled her, forcing her to lose consciousness repeatedly, and demanded that she unblock him from her cell phone and social media accounts. She told the jury that Long said 'one of these times you aren’t going to wake up.'"

The Cass County Sherrif’s Office photographed visible bruising on the victim’s neck and those photos were shown to the jury, which also heard from the deputy investigating the case, and a family friend who testified that the next night Long was observed returning to the home around midnight and was looking in the windows.

"This woman thought that she had finally escaped form an abusive relationship, only to have Long attack her when she was at her most vulnerable," said Cass County Assistant Prosecutor Jason Ronning, who tried the case.

"His waiting until late night, and his brutal attack and strangulation, are evidence of a dangerous man who simply refused to accept rejection."

Long's sentencing hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 15.  He faces up to 10 years in prison.