BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Nigel Saunders, who stood accused of a 2013 homicide in the city, was convicted Friday on five counts, including two counts of second-degree murder.
Saunders was accused of killing Jordan Dordell and attempting to kill his fiancee at their Mygatt Street home during a robbery committed with Julian Talamentez, who pleaded guilty to murder, and was sentenced in October to 40-years-to-life in prison.
During Thursday's closing arguments, Saunders' attorney Stephen Cornwell urged the jury to re-examine the evidence and look closely at the fact that no DNA, no fingerprints, no trace of Nigel Saunders was ever found at 32 Mygatt Street.
During his summation, he also questioned the credibility of a key witness, Dordell's fiancee, who he says changed her story multiple times and was too distraught to think clearly.
But Broome County District Attorney Gerald Mollen said the crime Saunders committed was intentional and urged the jury to come back with a guilty verdict.
Police say they found Dordell's body beaten, bound, and burned in the basement of his home, while his 6-month-pregnant fiancee, played dead and was able to escape.
The district attorney said justice was served.
"Relieved. The second man involved in carrying out unquestionably one of the most horrific crimes that we've seen in Broome County. Both men have been brought to justice. So, you're always just relieved. You have to believe in the process. It's a long process. It's a difficult process. But, we think justice was done," said Gerald Mollen.
Saunders faces 40-years-to-life in prison when sentenced on March 27.