An eastern Pennsylvania jury has convicted a defendant of first-degree murder in a shooting death at a public housing complex in Bethlehem last summer.
The (Easton) Express-Times reports that 18-year-old Lucas Cabassa of Bethlehem hung his head as the Northampton County jury verdict was read Thursday.
Defense attorney Steve Mills argued unsuccessfully that his client fired in self-defense in a June confrontation in the Lynfield public housing complex, killing 25-year-old Joseph Rodriguez.
Cabassa, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, will be sentenced next month. The U.S. Supreme Court has barred automatic life sentences for juveniles convicted of murder.
The victim's father, Joe Rodriguez, said Cabassa could have walked away from the fight at any time. He said the verdict will bring closure to the family.
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Teen Convicted in Shooting Death
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