A jury in Martinez Wednesday found an Antioch man guilty of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his roommate at a home for people suffering from mental health issues, a prosecutor said.
The verdict was handed down in a Martinez courtroom today in the trial against 62-year-old Richard Curry, who was initially charged with murder for the killing of his roommate, Robert Shelley on Dec. 2, 2012.
Curry shot Shelley, who was around the same age, after the victim came into the bedroom the two shared to go to sleep, according to Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Jason Peck.
The defendant told law enforcement that he shot Shelley because he feared the victim would aggravate him and cause him to have a heart attack, Peck said.
The victim was taken to a hospital, where he died exactly a month after the shooting.
Peck said Curry suffered from depression but no other mental illnesses and was ineligible for a not guilty by reason of insanity plea.
The defendant was arrested the day of the shooting and has remained in custody since. His sentencing is set for May 9.
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