Jacob SanchezA jury has found a 22-year-old Reno man guilty in the death of a popular local musician who officials say was shot trying to stop his friend's purse from being snatched.
The Reno Gazette-Journal reports (http://on.rgj.com/MkjxHF) jurors on Wednesday found Jacob Sanchez guilty of murder and several robbery-related charges in the May 8, 2011, death of Steven Gale.
Sanchez faces up to life in prison.
Authorities say the shooting happened as the 25-year-old Gale and another friend were beating up Sanchez's 13-year-old robbery partner during a "tug of war" over the purse.
Officials say Sanchez and his live-in girlfriend were part of a group that went on a four-hour robbery spree spanning Reno and Carson City. Prosecutors say the couple was hoping to get quick cash to pay their bills.
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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com (AP)
