A jury in North Carolina found a man guilty of first-degree murder for the death of Shawn Blanton Jr., who was the first member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to become a state trooper.

After a six-week trial, the jury deliberated for 4 1/2 hours before returning the verdict against Edwardo Wong. Blanton, 24, was killed after being shot twice by Wong during a traffic stop in June 2008.

"Our tribe has lost an honorable young man who devoted his life to serving the public," Principal Chief Michell Hicks told The Asheville Citizen-Times.

The jury will now determine whether Wong will be subject to the death penalty.

Get the Story:
Cherokee residents agree with verdict in Edwardo Wong trial (The Asheville Citizen-Times 10/15)
Edwardo Wong convicted of killing Trooper Shawn Blanton (The Asheville Citizen-Times 10/15)

Related Stories:
Eastern Cherokee man, a state trooper, killed on duty (6/19)