Johnson guilty of first-degree murder
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Steamboat Springs — This story will be updated
After two weeks of testimony, it took less than two hours Saturday for a jury to find Thomas Lee Johnson guilty of first-degree murder.
Johnson had argued that he acted in self defense when he killed Lori Bases in May 2000.
Johnson appeared emotionless after the verdict was read.
Friends and family of Bases appeared relieved.
This was the third time Johnson has gone to trial for the murder. The first two convictions were overturned by the Colorado Court of Appeals.
After the first trial, a court ruled the jury had been read faulty instructions. A third trial was ordered because Johnson was not allowed to defend himself.
To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland
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