A Denver jury found a 33-year-old man guilty of second-degree murder on Thursday in connection with a July 2017 altercation that left his mother’s boyfriend dead on a sidewalk in Sunnyside, the Denver District Attorney’s Office said.
Elizaro Herrera had been charged with first-degree murder.
On July 11, 2017, Herrera and the victim, 55-year-old Michael Lanford, got into an altercation in the backyard of a home in the 4000 block of N. Shoshone St.
Just before the fight, Herrera’s mother and sister left the house to go to a liquor store, although they were worried about leaving the two men together because they were both known to be violent, according to Herrera’s arrest affidavit.
Herrera struck Lanford with a sharp instrument, police said. Lanford, bleeding heavily, tried walking down the street. He was found dead on the sidewalk.
Herrera’s arrest record dates back to 2006, and it includes assault and sexual assault convictions.
Habitual offender charges have been filed in connection with sentencing, which is scheduled for Jan. 14, the district attorney’s office said.
