NC jury convicts NY man of killing soldier, teenager

FAYETTEVILLE -- A North Carolina jury has convicted a Brooklyn, N.Y. man of killing a soldier and a 16-year-old girl at a home they shared near Fort Bragg three years ago.

The Fayetteville Observer reports 22-year-old James Christopher Stitt was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder in the shooting death of 16-year-old Jenna Bologna.

Stitt was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Army Spc. George Katsigiannis, who had rented the house they shared. Family members have said the three grew up together in Brooklyn.

Stitt could face a death sentence in Bologna's slaying. The sentencing phase of the trial was scheduled to begin Friday.

Judge Greg Weeks delayed the sentencing in Katsigiannis' death until after the death penalty phase is resolved in Bologna's case.

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Information from: The Fayetteville Observer, http://www.fayobserver.com
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-05-09-08 1125EDT