A jury has delivered the fate of a man accused of beating a Youngstown woman to death, setting her home on fire, and attacking her mother.
Deliberations began Monday morning in the capital murder trial against 48-year-old Lance Hundley. About 3 hours later, a jury returned their verdict, finding Hundley guilty.
Hundley was charged in 2015 for the death of 41-year-old Erika Huff.
Hundley was charged with aggravated murder with a death penalty specification, attempted murder, felonious assault, and aggravated arson. A jury found him guilty on all charges.
Hundley could face the death penalty.
Prosecutors say Hundley allegedly attacked Huff at her home on Cleveland Street, beat her to death, and then set the home on fire to cover up the crime.
Officials also allege that Hundley encountered Huff's mother, Denise Johnson, outside the home and attacked her with a claw hammer.
Officers responding to calls for help removed an air conditioner from the back of the home and rescued Johnson.
After that rescue, they found Huff's body. Huff was confined to a wheelchair, unable to walk because she suffered from MS.
Police originally said Hundley was living in the home and was inside when police arrived. Hundley was arrested and was also taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center for injuries.
Erika had a 6-year-old daughter who was not in the home at the time of the fire.
Hundley has attempted to represent himself several times, only to later go back and ask a judge to reinstate attorneys.
He is expected to be sentenced at a later date.
Source: WFMJ news, Cristen Manion, May 22, 2018
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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde