Golden — A Jefferson County jury deliberated for just two hours before finding Gilberto Cruz guilty this morning of the shotgun slaying of his estranged girlfriend.
Cruz was found guilty of first-degree murder with deliberation and possession of an illegal weapon in the Oct. 4, 2006, death of Amanda Jean Duran.
Duran and Cruz had been dating for about six months, and Duran broke up with Cruz a few weeks before the shooting, court documents state.
Cruz went to Duran’s home in the 2000 block of Otis Street in Edgewater to get her to reconcile. Prosecutors said when Duran refused, Cruz pulled the shotgun out of his pants.
Duran fled the house in her socks as Cruz chased her while attempting to load the shotgun. On the third attempt, prosecutors said Cruz fired, leaving her lifeless body on a neighbor’s porch.
The jury received the case at about 5 p.m. Tuesday, and the verdict was returned at about 10 a.m. today.
Sentencing has been set for Aug. 9.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
