A man was convicted of murder Tuesday in the beating of retired New York Times journalist David Rosenbaum, who was mugged last January while out for a late stroll in his quiet neighborhood.
Percey Jordan Jr., 42, could get life in prison without parole at sentencing Jan. 12. He also was found guilty of robbery and credit card fraud.
"I don't want anyone to think this is a happy day," Rosenbaum's brother, Marcus Rosenbaum, said outside the courthouse.
He said Rosenbaum's slaying was a tragedy for his family, as well as the families of Jordan and his accomplice, Michael Hamlin, 24, who pleaded guilty to murder and conspiracy.
"It's just a lot of wasted lives in this whole thing," Marcus Rosenbaum said.
Hamlin, Jordan's cousin, testified that he and Jordan robbed Rosenbaum Jan. 6 and that Jordan beat the journalist in the head and torso with a heavy plastic pipe.
Rosenbaum, who was attacked in Northwest Washington, a well-to-do neighborhood of lawyers, lobbyists and others connected to the government, died of his injuries two days later.
Hamlin and Jordan turned themselves in after store surveillance cameras showed them using Rosenbaum's credit cards.
Marcus Rosenbaum said the family is pushing for reforms in Washington's emergency-response agencies.
Emergency workers initially believed Rosenbaum, 63, was intoxicated and they did not treat his case as an emergency or try to determine the extent of his injuries, according to a report from city investigators. An emergency medical technician was fired after the investigation for failing to follow proper procedures after the attack.