Man Who Shot Unarmed Woman on Porch Convicted of Murder

A Michigan man was convicted of second degree murder Thursday for killing an unarmed woman on his porch last year.

Dearborn Heights resident Theodore Wafer, who is white, was also convicted of involuntary manslaughter charges and felony firearm charges, and could face life in prison for the death of 19-year old Renisha McBride, who was black.

“We are obviously very pleased with the jury verdict and feel that justice was served today,” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. “We sincerely hope that this brings some comfort to the family of Renisha McBride.” Wafer will be sentenced later this month.

McBride was killed last November when she sought help at Wafer’s home after crashing her car nearby. Wafer testified that he thought McBride was trying to break into his home. “I was not going to cower,” he said, according to the Detroit Free Press. I didn’t want to be a victim in my own house.” Wafer also testified that he shot McBride as a “total reflex.”

McBride’s death has frequently been compared to the death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Florida teen who was killed in a case that ignited national debate about race, gun laws and so-called Stand Your Ground laws. Martin’s alleged killer, George Zimmerman, was acquitted of second-degree murder last year.