San Francisco jury finds Houston guilty
of attempted murder
Faces possible 35 year prison sentence
By Elizabeth Daley, Bay City News Service
December16, 2006
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - A jury found Jerome Houston, 54,
guilty Friday of robbing and attempting to kill a 25-year-old
woman after breaking in to her Mission District apartment, San
Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris reported.
Houston was arrested Feb. 6 after he broke down the door of the
woman's apartment and, upon finding her watching television in
her bedroom, began to assault her.
During the struggle, the woman grabbed a hammer to defend herself,
but it was wrestled from her and used against her by Houston,
who struck her multiple times causing her to fall in and out of
consciousness, according to the District Attorney.
The District Attorney reports that as the woman lay semi-conscious
on the floor, Houston stomped on her throat and choked her until
she held her breath, pretending to be dead.
Houston then stole the woman's digital camera and fled.
The woman went outside and called 911 before collapsing from
her injuries, which included a fractured skull. Houston was arrested
within an hour of the attack approximately two blocks from the
crime scene, according to the District Attorney.
Houston's trial lasted for three-weeks, and the jury deliberated
for three and a half days.
On Friday, the District Attorney reported the jury delivered
a guilty verdict for attempted murder, robbery and burglary to
Superior Court Judge John Stewart.
According to the District Attorney, Houston is scheduled to appear
before Stewart April 20 to receive his sentence, which could be
up to 35 years in prison.
Copyright © 2006 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication,
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