Stratford jury finds Michael Schweitzer guilty of second-degree murder
Posted Jan 24, 2016 03:17:49 PM.
Last Updated Jan 25, 2016 05:08:09 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A jury in Stratford has found Michael Schweitzer guilty of second-degree murder and assault with a weapon in the death of 17 year-old Nicole Wagler and shooting of his former roommate Tyler Baker.
The shooting happened in Milverton on Dec. 4, 2012.
Schweitzer was originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of Wagler.
Crown attorney Michael Murdoch told 570 News that the jury was not confident the murder was planned, ” that’s no doubt one of the components that this jury wrestled with, and they found, as their are entitled to do, that they weren’t satisfied that there was planning and deliberation to this murder.” Said Murdoch.
The trial lasted two weeks. The jury was in deliberation for four days.
Murdoch says the families of the victims are relieved that the trial is over and they are satisfied with the results.
The next step is for sentencing that is scheduled to happen April 29th.
A second-degree murder charge carries an automatic sentence of life in prison. At sentencing the judge will determine at what point of the sentence Schweitzer can apply for parole. The minimum is ten years from the time of arrest, the judge can adjust that up 25 years after arrest.
