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LOGAN - A jury found Glenn Howard Griffin, 51, guilty of first-degree murder in the killing 24 years ago of Bradley Newell Perry.

Griffin faces death by lethal injection or life in prison with the chance of parole.

Using DNA technology to link Griffin to a bloody dollar bill and hairs found at the murder scene, the state proved that Griffin bound, bludgeoned, robbed and murdered the 22-year-old clerk at a convenience store near Brigham City on May 26, 1984.

The jury deliberated a total of 12 hours Thursday evening and Friday morning before returning the verdict in the Logan 1st District Court shortly after noon Friday.

When polled by Brigham City-based 1st District Judge Ben Hadfield, each of the 12 jurors said Griffin was "guilty" of aggravated murder, robbery, kidnapping, plus aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping.

Wade Garrett Maughan, who refused to testify in the Griffin trial, is also charged with Perry's first-degree murder and with robbery. His trial is slated for January.

Griffin's mother, Arlene Pyle, and other family members wept openly as he was removed from the courtroom to change from his business suit into an orange prison jumpsuit and shackles.

Chris Nelson, Griffin's wife from 1998 to 2003, said her ex-husband is talented, caring, creative and misunderstood. He is incapable of the behavior he was found guilty of, Nelson said after attending all of the trial proceedings.

When they were married he would put a spider outside rather than kill it, she said.

Court-appointed attorneys Randall Richards and Dee Smith said they are disappointed in the verdict and plan to appeal the case.

"In my heart of hearts, I think they got the wrong guy," Richards said. "I think he's innocent."

Brad Smith, prosecuting attorney of the Brigham City 1st District Court, said his work on the case is only halfway finished.

With the guilt phase of the trial behind him, Smith said he will focus on the penalty phase, which begins Tuesday. The same jury that convicted Griffin will determine his sentence.

What's next

The penalty phase in the Griffin trial begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Logan 1st District Court.