ST. GEORGE — A 29-year-old man faces up to life in prison after being convicted of murder, a first-degree felony, in the fatal stabbing of a St. George woman with a decorative sword in her apartment.
The Spectrum reports that jurors on Friday convicted Kevin Ray Mcatlin in the killing of Elizabeth Carter, 33.
Court records indicate the jury deliberated for 2 ½ hours Friday.
Mcatlin didn't dispute he killed Carter but defense attorney Edward Flint argued that special mitigation circumstances existed that would have resulted in Mcatlin being convicted of manslaughter, a lesser charge.
Flint said Carter provoked Mcatlin by slapping him after he accused her of stealing drugs and other belongings of his.
Carter was found dead in a bathtub covered by blankets and a couch cushion. An autopsy determined that she suffered 16 puncture wounds to her neck, a puncture wound to the back of her shoulder and four slash marks on the back of her neck, charging documents state.
Sentencing is set for May 22. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years to life.