Arizona man convicted in fatal 2012 shooting
A Mohave County Superior Court jury on Thursday convicted a northwest Arizona resident of the 2012 shooting death of his neighbor in Golden Valley.
Steven Schwartz, 55, was killed by a shotgun blast fired by Phillip Martin, 61.
Martin’s defense attorney claimed his client had problems with burglars and trespassing and was protecting himself and his property when he shot Schwartz as he walked up Martin’s dirt driveway in October 2012. However, prosecutor James Schoppman said there was no justification for shooting the unarmed victim.
The jury deliberated for about 90 minutes before finding Martin guilty of second-degree murder. He faces a 10- to 25-year prison term and will be sentenced Nov. 8.
