Golden — A Jefferson County jury began deliberations at about 4 p.m. this afternoon in the first-degree murder trial of Michael Tate.
Tate is accused of stabbing and bludgeoning 41-year-old Steven Fitzgerald to death in the garage of his Westminster home on Nov. 8, 2004.
Tate, who was then 16, and Fitzgerald’s son, Michael, who was 17, were runaways from a group home when they broke into the home.
Fitzgerald, who had been sleeping, confronted Tate. During a fight with Tate, according to testimony in the 2 1/2-week-long trial, Fitzgerald was stabbed in the chest and hit in the face.
Defense attorneys said Tate had a long history of mental illness, contending he is innocent by reason of insanity.
Prosecutors pointed to several of Tate’s actions that they said showed he knew right from wrong.
Michael Fitzgerald was sentenced in March to 62 years in prison in connection with his father’s murder. He testified against Tate as part of plea bargain.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
