GOLDEN, Colo.—A teen accused in the beating death of his friend’s father was convicted Monday of charges including first-degree felony murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence.
Michael Tate, 19, also was convicted of eight other charges, including burglary, theft and trespassing. He was acquitted of first-degree murder after deliberation and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of Steven Fitzgerald in Westminster in 2004.
The murder charge on which Tate was convicted indicates a murder committed during another felony.
Prosecutors said Fitzgerald was attacked after walking in on Tate and his son robbing the family home after the boys had run away from a group home.
Tate’s attorney had argued Tate was not guilty by reason of insanity, but prosecutor Jackie Russell said he knew right from wrong.
Fitzgerald’s son, Michael Fitzgerald, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges including second-degree murder and is serving 62 years in prison. Michael Fitzgerald, now 20, testified against Tate at trial.
Tate was due to be sentenced Nov. 2.
