Napa Jury Acquits, Then Convicts Man On 2 Charges In Lake Berryessa Shooting

NAPA- A Napa County jury acquitted a man of murdering his mother but convicted him of involuntary manslaughter Tuesday.

The jury started deliberating Tuesday morning and returned a verdict against Joseph Brooks Conkright, 21, around 3 p.m., Assistant Napa County District Attorney Paul Gero said.

Conkright was on trial for the shooting murder of his mother Danae Dee Conkright, 54, in their home near Lake Berryessa on Dec. 8, 2014.

He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter with enhancements of illegal possession and personal use of an assault weapon, an AR-15 rifle, Gero said.

The defense claimed Conkright accidentally dropped the rifle while he was cleaning it, Gero said.

Napa County sheriff's deputies found Conkright's body inside the home in the 200 block of Manzanita Lane. Conkright's father reported the shooting, according to the sheriff's office.

Conkright's mother was shot once in the chest.

Also on Patch:

• Man, 20, Arrested On Suspicion Of Killing His Mother Near Lake Berryessa
• Monday’s Shooting At Lake Berryessa Ruled Homicide.
• Fatal Accidental Shooting Reported This Afternoon At Lake Berryessa.

Conkright faces a maximum prison term of 14 years and eight months when he is sentenced June 21, Gero said.

Defense attorney Matthew Bishop was not available for comment Wednesday morning.

-Bay City News, image via ShutterStock