Man found guilty of murder over money owed for pit bull
The man on trial for killing another man over a pit bull was convicted Wednesday of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon in District Court.
A jury convicted 23-year-old Michael Patterson in the slaying of Bobby Wilkerson, 28, in 2007.
The jury also convicted Patterson of conspiracy to commit murder with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm into a structure.
"I'm thrilled with the verdict," said Vivian Jones, Wilkerson's mother.
Authorities said Patterson shot and killed Wilkerson in the parking lot of the Palabra Viva Church on Mojave Road near Desert Inn Road on Aug. 29, 2007.
Patterson told the jury he killed Patterson because he believed the victim was reaching for a gun.
Authorities said Patterson shot and killed Wilkerson because the victim owed him money for a pit bull.
Patterson will be sentenced on July 31.
