SANTA ANA, Calif. -- A jury rejected a defense argument that a teenager who dressed up in a deputy sheriff's uniform was in a 'fantasy world' when he shot a police officer five times at point-blank range, and found him guilty of first-degree murder.
Charles Tyberg, 17, San Diego, was convicted Wednesday by a jury of six men and six women that deliberated three days after the weeklong trial. He faces a possible life prison term. Sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 10.
Defense attorney Jack Campbell said he was disappointed with the verdict and will consider an appeal.
Jurors had to decide whether Tyberg shot San Diego Police Officer Kirk Johnson with premeditation or if he was living in what his defense attorney called a dream world when he opened fire on the officer.
Last Feb. 20, the boy donned his stepfather's deputy sheriff's uniform, stole the deputy's patrol car and shot Johnson during a joyride with friends. Tyberg admitted shooting the officer.
The jury's choices were to find him guilty of first- or second-degree murder.
The two friends who went along with Tyberg in the patrol car testified that they stopped in a secluded park in San Clemente Canyon to shoot rabbits and were preparing to go home when Johnson pulled up.
Tyberg, then 16, allegedly shot Johnson five times at point-blank range with his stepfather's .357 Magnum revolver, killing the officer instantly.
Johnson's murder stumped homicide investigators and set off one of the most intensive investigations in San Diego history.
Tyberg was arrested a month after the shooting when one of his companions told his father of the killing and the man went to the police.
Campbell told the jury the teenager should be convicted only of second-degree murder because he was 'living a bit in a fantasy world that got out of control.'
He said Tyberg fired on a 'rash, uncontrolled impulse,' panicking when he saw Johnson pull up.
The prosecution argued that Tyberg should be convicted of premeditated first-degree murder because he had the cocked revolver at the ready as Johnson pulled alongside.
Tyberg's trial was moved north 100 miles to Orange County because of extensive publicity in San Diego County.
