WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-Huntsville teen found guilty of reckless murder in 2007 shooting
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HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - A jury handed down a verdict Thursday in the murder trial of a Huntsville teen.
Seventeen-year-old Michael Steger was found guilty of reckless murder in the shooting death of 16-year-old Jamie Collier.
Steger was just 14 at the time of the shooting, and that was the big question in this case:
Could a 14-year-old be held responsible for taking someone's life?
The jury said yes.
Michael Steger was stoic as the jury foreman read his verdict --guilty of reckless murder.
For the family of Jamie Collier, the young woman killed when prosecutors said Steger fired a single gunshot into a group of people in 2007, the verdict was relief, tinged with sadness.
"I just want to say I'm sorry for the family, that it happened like this, but I'm relieved that it's over with and I just feel sorry for their family," said Sandra Collier, Jamie's mother.
"Justice was done, but my heart goes out to his family," said Rodrick Collier, Jamie's uncle.
Prosecutor Timothy Gann said he was concerned Steger's young age at the time of the crime would make it difficult for jurors to come to a unanimous decision.
"There's no question he did what we say he did and our concern was, would the jury convict a 14 year old? But I believe the jury felt like it was murder. They did their job and we're thankful for that," Gann said.
Steger's attorney Barry Abston said both families have suffered a tremendous loss.
"It was a very difficult case, very tragic case, two young people, both of them experienced a tragedy, and I can't say that we're surprised, we knew that was a potential, but we are disappointed," Abston said.
Steger's sentencing is scheduled for December 18th at 11 a.m. There's no word yet on whether Steger will appeal.
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C'mon, play. You know you want to. The boss will never know.
