Former Rocky Ford Officer Found Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder
LA JUNTA, Colo. (CBS4) - The former Rocky Ford police officer accused of shooting and killing a man he followed into his home has been found guilty.
James Ashby is accused of second-degree murder in the 2014 death of 27-year-old Jack Jacquez.
The case went to the jury at noon on Wednesday. Jurors had heard testimony from both Ashby, who says he acted in self-defense, and from the victim's mother.
Viola Jacquez testified Ashby entered the home in La Junta she shared with her son and gave no verbal command and did not identify himself as a police officer before he shot Jack Jacquez in the back.
Ashby had told investigators he thought Jacquez was a burglar, but officials say the former officer had no reason to believe Jacquez was committing a crime.
Sentencing for Ashby is scheduled for Sept. 23 in La Junta. He faces up to 48 years in prison.