Man Convicted Of Murder

Fri., June 7, 1996

A Stevens County jury convicted John Steinkraus Thursday night of second-degree murder for shooting 29-year-old Tina Mann in the back of the head with a shotgun.

The killing last Oct. 28 occurred at Steinkraus’ remote cabin in the woods near Onion Creek, Wash.

Steinkraus, 42, testified he was upset with Mann, whom he had known only about five hours, and fired a shot over the top of her head while she sat or kneeled on the floor.

He said she rose into the path of his second shot.

The seven-woman, five-man jury had the option of convicting Steinkraus of first-degree murder.

Jurors heard three days of testimony and deliberated four hours.

At sentencing July 19, Steinkraus faces about 15 to 19 years in prison, Prosecutor Jerry Wetle said.

, DataTimes

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