A jury on Friday convicted the man charged with raping and killing a 13-year-old Buffalo girl. Darshawn Morris, 21, has been found guilty on all counts.A state Supreme Court jury in Buffalo began deliberations Thursday and resumed deliberations Friday morning. Just before noon Friday, jurors delivered their verdict, finding Morris guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree rape, and second-degree criminal sexual act.
Morris was charged with killing Lanasha Rollerson on Sept. 1, 2013, after a late night party at his house. Her body was found two days later behind a garage on Newburgh Avenue. Police say Rollerson had been stabbed more than 60 times and her body set on fire.
Morris' attorney told jurors Morris didn't kill the girl. He testified that he had sex with the girl and then helped dispose of her body after his cousin killed her. Police say he confessed to the crime days after he was arrested.
Morris faces 37 years to life in prison at sentencing April 17.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
