COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—A former college administrator has been found guilty of accessory to murder but was acquitted of murder and kidnapping charges stemming from a bogus drug deal.
A jury returned the verdicts Wednesday in the trial of 62-year-old Michael Berkowitz, formerly director of online enrollment at the for-profit University of Phoenix.
The Colorado Springs Gazette reports ( ) Berkowitz was charged in the shooting death of 27-year-old Matthew Moore in Colorado Springs in July 2011.
Authorities say Berkowitz and 24-year-old Rodrigo Rubio had paid $600 for heroin but got only dirt, and they wanted Moore to lead them to the dealers.
Prosecutors claim Berkowitz and Rubio kidnapped Moore from a motel and that Rubio fatally shot Moore when he escaped from their vehicle.
Rubio is awaiting trial on murder and kidnapping charges.
———
Information from: The Gazette,



