A man convicted of a Christmas eve murder has been sentenced to life in prison. Anthony Gerald Wernsman, 24, was convicted and sentenced Friday in Adams County for the , according to the district attorney’s office.
Deputies responding to a 911 call on Dec. 24 found Dunnigan, suffering from multiple gun shot wounds, on the floor of a home at 2780 W. 56th Ave., a DA’s news release said. Dunnigan was taken to Denver Health Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Prior to the shooting, Wernsman and Dunnigan had exchanged insulting text messages, according to evidence presented at trial. Wernsman showed up a Dunnigan’s home at about 1 a.m., forced his way inside and fired 10 rounds before fleeing.
Wernsman was arrested later in the day.
An Adams County jury deliberated for about five hours Friday before returning convictions on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree burglary and intent to commit assault.
Wernsman was sentenced without the possibility of parole.
“Our prosecution team did a great job on this trial,” said District Attorney Dave Young. “We are thankful that the jury came back with a just verdict in this case.”
