Western, Pa. man found guilty of shooting at Erie bar

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — A Pittsburgh-area man has been convicted of third-degree murder in the shooting death of a man outside an Erie bar.

The Erie County jury also convicted 32-year-old Michael Wright, of Braddock, of attempted homicide and related charges today.

The defense unsuccessfully claimed Wright shot 31-year-old Rondale Jennings Sr. in March because he feared for his life. The unarmed Wright was shot in the face and crotch.

An investigating officer, James Cousins, was suspended for 10 days after his drunken barroom rant was recorded and posted on YouTube. It showed him joking about the shooting and mocking Jennings’ mother’s reaction.

Wright will be sentenced on Jan. 21 and faces up to 40 years in prison on the murder conviction.