TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - A jury found a man accused of shooting and stabbing his ex-wife's new boyfriend guilty Thursday May 1.
Zielinski was found guilty of murder, guilty of aggravated burglary, kidnapping, felonious assault. He was found not guilty attempted murder.
Deliberations began around 1:45 p.m. Thursday in the trial where Zielinski stood accused of murdering 20-year-old Michael Jackson.
Both the prosecution and the defense made closing arguments on Thursday.
"'Until death do us part.' David Zielinski took those words quite literally when he married Amber Hayes. So literally, in fact, that he repeated them to her the night he brutally murdered her boyfriend and tried to take her life," prosecuting attorney Lindsay Navarre told the jury in closing arguments.
In addition, they said Zielinski forced Hayes out of the house and into her car, even firing shots at her, but she got away.
The defense asked the jury to convict Zielinski on a charge of felonious assault. Doing so meant Zielinski had waived his right to appeal the decision.
"By doing so he admittedly caused the death of Michael Jackson by means of a firearm, after he found Mr. Jackson in his house, in his bed, with his wife," said defense attorney Mark Geudtner.
Jurors deliberated for nearly five hours before reaching a decision.
There was no reaction from Zielinski when the verdict was read. Prosecutors say they expect him to receive a lengthy sentence because of the brutality of this case.
Zielinski could face a maximum penalty on the murder charge alone of life in prison with parole eligibility after 18 years.
"It's been horrible. It's been a nightmare. It's been awful. It's been tragic. Michael was my caregiver. Michael was my son. Michael was my life. I have Michael and my eight-year-old daughter. They were my life. Half of my life is gone," said Jackson's mother Pamela Jackson.
Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Ruth Ann Franks will sentence Zielinski Tuesday May 6.
