JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After more than 10 hours of deliberations, a jury found Paul Durousseau guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Tyresa Mack.
Mack, 24, was found dead in her Eastside apartment in July of 1999.
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Over the course of the past two weeks, the jury has heard from dozens of witnesses and seen several pieces of evidence as the prosecution and defense made their cases.
In addition to Mack's murder, Durousseau is also charged with killing five other women prior to his arrest in 2003.
Although being tried for the Mack's death, the deaths of Nikia Kilpatrick and Shawanda McCalister have played prominent roles in Durousseau's trial.
The day before the trial went to jury, Durousseau took the stand in his own defense and admitted having sex with the three women before their deaths but said he wasn't the one who killed them.
Durousseau spent about 90 minutes on the stand, answering questions about his relationships with the slain women.
He admitted he met Mack in April 1999 and that, for three months, saw her frequently.
The last time he said he saw Mack was July 26 -- the day she was killed. He admitted that when he found out about her death, he did not call police.
He told the court he heard she had been shot, and he didn't contact police because he didn't have any information to give them and she was alive when he left.
Durousseau also admitted to lying to detectives when he initially denied knowing any of the slain women.
After the guilty verdict was returned Friday night, Mack's loved ones said although the process was long, they're happy it's over.
"It's devastating. It's very devastating that we had to wait this long, but that's all right because God is good. God is awesome," said Mack's sister, Latashia Bell. "He's getting what he deserves. I know it won't bring my sister back, but I do have closure -- me and my family."
Durousseau's sentencing is expected to begin June 26.
Previous Stories:
- June 4, 2007: Defense Makes Case In Suspected Killer's Trial
- May 31, 2007: Prosecution Rests In Trial Of Suspected Killer
- May 24, 2007: Prosecution: DNA Links Defendant To Killing
- May 23, 2007: Trial Begins For Accused Serial Killer
- September 4, 2003: Grand Jury Indicts Suspected Serial Killer For Sixth Murder
- August 27, 2003: Suspected Serial Killer Faces One More Murder Charge
- June 20, 2003: Suspected Serial Killer Once Drove School Bus
- June 19, 2003: Durousseau Indicted: 5 Counts Of First-Degree Murder
- June 18, 2003: Family Of Murder Victims Mourn June 18, 2003: Gator City Taxi President Comes To Town For Answers
- June 17, 2003: Father Of Murder Victim Knows Accused Killer
- June 17, 2003: Suspected Serial Killer Under Arrest