Charles City, IA- A North Iowa man is guilty of murder.
A Floyd County jury is convicting Richard Cortez of second degree murder in the stabbing death of Kenyon Armstrong last May.
In five hours of deliberations, jurors also convicted him of causing serious injury to two other people.
In all, they found the New Hampton man guilty on all five charges against him.
During closing arguments, prosecutors maintained Cortez knew what he was doing, during a fight
Assistant Attorney General Andrew Prosser played a portion of Cortez’ interview with a DCI investigator for the jury during the state’s closing argument.
“I'm mean, I'm tough and I have my knife, and if anyone gives me any grief, he didn't say that word, they're gonna have me to deal with," Prosser said of Cortez’ statement to police.
Richard Cortez' defense attorney reminded jurors they have reason to doubt the evidence they've been shown.
The defense is claming the states witnesses came up with a story before they talked to investigators.
Cortez was charged with murder in the first degree, which would mean life in prison without parole.
He is facing up to 50 years in prison on the lesser, second degree murder conviction. It carries a mandatory sentence of 35 years without parole.
Cortez could also receive extra time on the four other charges.
His sentencing is set for June 23 at 1:15pm.
