A Webster County jury has convicted a Fort Dodge man of killing his wife.
The jury on Thursday found Angel Vega-Sanchez guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Rachelle Vega on May 17. The jury deliberated for about three hours.
Vega-Sanchez was accused of shooting his wife four times while she was sitting on a couch at a house.
Defense attorneys argued the charge should have been voluntary manslaughter, not first-degree murder, because Vega-Sanchez acted in the heat of passion. Prosecutors countered that the shooting was premeditated.
Vega-Sanchez faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing is set for Jan. 8.
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The jury on Thursday found Angel Vega-Sanchez guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Rachelle Vega on May 17. The jury deliberated for about three hours.
Vega-Sanchez was accused of shooting his wife four times while she was sitting on a couch at a house.
Defense attorneys argued the charge should have been voluntary manslaughter, not first-degree murder, because Vega-Sanchez acted in the heat of passion. Prosecutors countered that the shooting was premeditated.
Vega-Sanchez faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. Sentencing is set for Jan. 8.
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
