GREELEY, Colo.—A man accused of killing a trainer who had worked with the Harlem Globetrotters has been convicted of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors had said 23-year-old Draton Mares shot 42-year-old Thomas Bashline in the back of the head in Bashline’s bedroom in November 2011, then stole his vehicle. Bashline’s girlfriend found his body in the home they shared.
A Weld County jury convicted Mares on Thursday of first-degree murder and aggravated motor vehicle theft.
Investigators say Mares and Bashline had met several times for sexual encounters. Mares testified that after one encounter soured, he shot Bashline after Bashline treated him abusively and called him a derogatory name.
His attorney argued that Mares didn’t plan the killing and only fired in the heat of passion.
