WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — After about ten hours of deliberation, 59-year-old John Sarver was found guilty of killing Elanore Roberts in 1984.
The jury returned the verdict Thursday afternoon after nearly three weeks of testimony. Sarver himself had taken the stand this week, saying he did not stab the then 73-year-old with a pair of scissors and beat her on the head.
But evidence collected at the scene including a handprint found on a bathroom sink linked Sarver to the crime. Investigators also found a ski mask that was left near her home which was found to have his DNA on it.
RELATED: Sarver Murder Trial Begins Monday
Sarver’s defense team had argued that if the evidence against him were concrete a trial would have happened years ago. However, that didn’t sway the jury.
The verdict came down at about 3 PM. A judge then set sentencing for January 23rd at 1 PM.
