Jury Finds Steven Colver Guilty Of First-Degree Murder
PLACERVILLE, Calif. (CBS13) – A jury has found an El Dorado County man guilty of fatally stabbing his underage girlfriend's mother.
After just a few hours of deliberation, the jury found 21-year-old Steven Paul Colver guilty of first-degree murder in the 2009 killing of Joanne Witt at her El Dorado Hills home.
Prosecutor said the then-19-year-old stabbed Witt 20 times because he was terrified of going to jail after she reported him for statutory rape of her daughter Tylar, who was 14 at the time.
Colver's defense attorney had tried to convince the jury that Witt was killed by Tylar who he described as mentally unstable.
Tylar Witt testified against her former boyfriend as part of plea deal in which she plead guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree murder.
Colver's mother, who appeared to be nervous and crying, was in court as the verdict was read. CBS13 News reporter Koula Gianulias was also in court and says she heard someone from Witt's family say "Yes" as the verdict was read.
Colver will be sentenced on August 12 at 1:30 p.m.
