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November 28, 2009

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Walker guilty in death of woman

Kim Smith

Friday, March 10, 2000 | 12:37 p.m.

The second of two cousins accused of shooting a 17-year-old girl to death in October 1997 was convicted by a Clark County jury Thursday after 90 minutes of deliberation.

The jury found Johnny Hughes Walker Jr., 20, guilty of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon in the death of Maureen McConaha. Just last month another jury convicted Walker's cousin, Christian, 21, of second-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon.

Christian Walker was given a life sentence and will be eligible for parole after 20 years.

Attorneys for both sides in the Johnny Walker case agreed to let District Judge Donald Mosley decide his fate instead of the jury. Because the jury found that Walker used a deadly weapon, he could receive two life sentences and not be eligible for parole for 40 years. Mosley scheduled the sentencing for April 12.

Authorities believe Christian Walker and McConaha had a tumultuous relationship and on the night she died he became angry when he saw her talking to another man at a party.

Witnesses saw the girl leave with the cousins, and an hour later the cousins came back by themselves.

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