Arizonan convicted in killing

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 | 9:32 a.m.

An Arizona man could face life in prison after being convicted Wednesday of killing a Needles, Calif., man in Laughlin in April 2001.

Gregory Amato, 36, claimed he got into a physical confrontation with Jimmie D. Ingle, 57, when Ingle made a sexual advance.

Although he admitted that he stole Ingle's vehicle and wallet after the incident, Amato denied knowing that Ingle, a married military veteran, was dead when he left the desert area to which he and Ingle had driven.

Prosecutors, however, alleged Amato used a 13-pound rock to crush Ingle's head so he could steal Ingle's vehicle and credit cards.

The jury convicted Amato of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon, robbery, burglary, grand larceny auto, fraudulent use of a credit card and possession of a stolen vehicle.

First-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon alone carries a minimum sentence of 40 years to life and a maximum no-parole life sentence.

Amato opted to have District Judge Lee Gates sentence him.

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