GOLDEN — A Lakewood man who shot and killed his roommate, telling police he thought someone was breaking into his home, has been convicted of second-degree murder.
A Jefferson County jury deliberated a day and a half before today finding Floyd Nuss, 63, guilty of killing Richard Kohler, 51, in November 2006.
Nuss also was found guilty of false reporting. Sentencing was set for Oct. 3.
Nuss told police he was watching TV when he heard someone using a screwdriver to break through his front door in the 1300 block of South Wadsworth Boulevard.
Police said Nuss told them that it was dark and he couldn’t see the intruder’s face and that he shot him under the protection of the “make my day” law.
Nuss also said Kohler, who had been renting a room from him for several years, owed him rent money.
Nuss said he put a handwritten eviction notice on the front door. The notice was found in Kohler’s pants pocket along with the key to the front door.
Kohler was shot twice with a .32-caliber Derringer pistol. Nuss said he told the person to stop but got no response. Kohler’s body was found just inside the front door.
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
