Yuma man involved in house party shooting convicted of first degree murder

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The jury found a Yuma man involved in a house party shooting guilty on seven counts, including first degree murder.

According to a reporter, 20-year-old Jose Lopez was convicted in the shooting deaths of 20-year-old Ande Blackthunder and 19-year-old Danny Garcia.

Prior to the verdict, the prosecution gave their closing arguments on Tuesday, with the defense giving their closing arguments Wednesday morning while the defense claims Lopez was only looking out for his cousin.

"Jose went to a party. He got up there. He and his friends were having a good time...all of a sudden, his cousin's life is in danger. He acted reasonably to try and protect it," said Lopez's defense attorney Micah Friedman.

"The reason that Jose Lopez holding a rifle is important is that that rifle is the same rifle that was used in this case. You can look at that photograph...you can compare it to the rifle we found. The only thing missing is the stickers," said Joshua Davis-Salsbury the prosecuting attorney in his rebuttal.

Then, it was all in the hands of the jury, but not for long as they came to a verdict in just over an hour.

"He's disappointed. He was hoping for a different result and you know, he has his own family, you know both children and parents that are equally upset and disappointed," said Friedman.

After the verdict was read, Lopez was seen shaking his head in disbelief at the outcome of the trial. The punishment ultimately will be up to the judge to determine.

He's scheduled for sentencing on April 24.