A Jefferson County jury on Monday convicted a man of stabbing a Golden musician to death in 2014.
Thomas Kevin LaPerch, 24, was found guilty of first-degree murder after deliberation, arson and criminal mischief. After a nine-day trial, the jury deliberated for two hours on Monday before delivering its verdict, according to a news release from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office.
LaPerch was convicted of killing 57-year-old William George Burchett. Burchett was the lead singer in a popular local band called the Resonators.
In March 2014, a few months after moving to Colorado, LaPerch responded to a Craigslist ad to rent the lower level of a house in the 700 block of Iowa Street in Golden. Burchett was living in the top level of the house and was looking for someone to sublet the basement level to.
But Burchett became uncomfortable a few days after LaPerch moved into the home, even offering to return LaPerch’s money if he moved out. LaPerch refused.
Burchett told his brother that LaPerch seemed angry, according to the news release.
On March 15, 2014, police responded to a 911 call about smoke coming from the home. Investigators later found Burchett’s of the burning home.
Burchett was stabbed more than 20 times. An open bottle of kerosene was found outside the bedroom.
LaPerch faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for 8 a.m. on April 15.
