James Colley convicted for murders of estranged wife, her friend

James Colley has been found guilty of the first degree murders of his estranged wife and her friend in Murabella in 2015.

The jury deliberated around two hours to reach the decisions. He’s also been convicted of two counts of attempted first degree murder in connection to the other people who were in the home when he came in and started shooting.

The State argued the murders happened because Colley felt rejected by his estranged wife Amanda. He had been in court the morning of the murders for violating an injunction on a stalking charge. The defense had argued for second degree murder instead, saying Colley did not premeditate the killings.

Colley could face the death penalty for the murder charges. The penalty phase will begin on Monday.

“The facts of this case are as callous and violent as any I have ever witnessed in my professional career. The guilty verdict paves the way for us to present our case for imposition of the death penalty,” says a statement from State Attorney R.J. Larizza.

This is a developing story that will be updated through the day.