Edmonton LRT killer guilty of murder, rules judge

A man accused of shooting a woman in the face at the Edmonton LRT Stadium Station two years ago is guilty of second-degree murder, ruled a judge Thursday.

Colton Ferguson will learn his fate Thursday morning. (CBC)

Colton Ferguson, 21, was on trial for first-degree murder in the death of Heather Thurier, 23.

Ferguson shot Thurier at point blank range with a sawed-off .22 rifle after an exchange of words on May 21, 2010, killing her instantly.

There is no doubt Ferguson killed Heather Thurrier, Justice Sterling Sanderman ruled in his decision Thursday.

The question, he said, is whether Ferguson is guilty of murder or manslaughter.

Sanderman concluded the discharge of gun was not accidental and the video shows Thurrier never touched the gun that killed her, Sanderman said, dismissing the possibility of a manslaughter conviction.

Heather Rae Thurier was shot in the head May 21, 2010 at the Stadium LRT platform. (Facebook)

Sanderman based his decision largely on the video evidence, calling much of eyewitness testimony flawed, he said.

He also called Ferguson's testimony evasive saying, "'candid' is not a word that springs to mind when describing his evidence."

A sentencing hearing is set for Friday, Mar. 16.