Shawn Hope found guilty of aggravated murder

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Shawn Hope is guilty of two counts of aggravated murder, jurors have announced.

WARREN

A jury has returned guilty verdicts on all counts in the Shawn Hope aggravated murder trial, including two counts of aggravated murder.

One of the two murder charges carries a possible life prison sentence without eligibility for parole.

The jury of seven women and five men deliberated three hours before rending its verdict this afternoon.

Hope, 51, killed John P. Keller, 41, of Niles in a home on Stephens Avenue Northwest Dec. 2, 2016, and then kidnapping Kellar’s fiance, Tabitha Powell, 23, and Alicia Binion, 37, whose father owned the house.

Hope was also convicted of aggravated robbery for stealing Powell’s van; being a felon in possession of a firearm; and tampering with evidence.

Prosecutors said they will ask Judge Andrew Logan to sentence Hope to life in prison without parole eligibility.

Keller, Powell and Binion were all living there at the time, and all were drug users, according to testimony. Hope, who is also known as Shawn Johnson, frequently visited the home, riding there on a bicycle, Powell testified.