Dale Hausner
Live from the courtroom: Dale Hausner was found guilty today in downtown Phoenix of 80 crimes, including six murders, in the Serial Shooter killing spree.
Hausner hardly looked up from the defense table as a clerk read the verdicts. He sometimes scribbled down notes and whispered to his lawyers, but otherwise showed little to no emotion.
The jury acquitted Hausner on seven of the 87 charges, including the May 2005 murders of Tony Mendez and Reginald Remillard. He was also cleared on two animal shootings and an aggravated assault of a woman walking her dogs, though the jury convicted him of the attacks on the dogs.
Hausner stood accused of hunting down seemingly random pedestrians who were wandering streets of the Phoenix valley on various nights during 2005 and 2006. Authorities said the 36-year-old Mesa man drove around in his silver four-door car, stalking the victims until they were alone and vulnerable.
All told, authorities say nearly 30 people fell victim to Hausner. Few of the survivors or victim family members were in the courtroom today for the verdict, likely because many of the victims were down-and-out when they were shot.
“Just very thankful, very thankful,” said Mary Patrick, one of the few family members to witness the verdict. Her son, Paul, survived a June 2006 shooting in west Phoenix. He attended the trial every day of testimony, but suffered a stroke on the final day of closing arguments. He was in a hospital room as the jury handed down its verdict. “Wishing Paul was here,” said his mother, wiping away tears.
Afterward, many of the victims, prosecutors and police investigators shook hands and hugged each other. It was not a perfect verdict, many said, but pretty good.
“Investigators and prosecutors are pleased with the verdict,” said Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Andy Hill. “Justice is moving ahead.”
At this point, the trial continues into its next phase, when the same jury will hear arguments and testimony about whether Hausner should die for his crimes. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty. The next phase of the trial begins on March 23.
Check back later for updates