A Jefferson County man accused of strangling his common-law wife with the cord of a curling iron has been convicted of first-degree murder.
The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office says 35-year-old Michael Sommerfield was found guilty this week in the March 21, 2014, death of 34-year-old Michelle Lucero.
Sheriff's deputies called to a disturbance at the couple's home found Lucero dead with red marks across her neck.
Prosecutors say that shortly before she was killed, Lucero went to a neighbors' house and asked them to call 911. She was crying and told them her husband had choked her.
Lucero then changed her mind and said she would go back to her house to get her cellphone and call herself. That's when neighbors say they heard loud banging coming from the home.
"This senseless case of domestic violence affects us all," said District Attorney Pete Weir said in a statement sent to Denver7. "This is a community problem, not just a family problem and we must work together to stop domestic violence. If you suspect someone is a victim of domestic violence, call 911."
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