DENVER — The man who told police that his wife shot herself in January was convicted of second-degree murder.
A Denver District Court jury returned the verdict against Cain Wilkens, 44, on Tuesday. He was found guilty of second-degree murder after a five-day trial, according to the Denver District Attorney's Office.
Wilkins shot his wife, 30-year-old Clarissa Wilkens, around 3:20 a.m. Jan. 21, 2018 after a birthday party at their apartment home on the 1500 block of S. Albion Street. Officers received a report of a suicide attempt at the home. The caller told police a man had told him his wife had just shot herself.
Responding officers found the woman dead in a bedroom of the apartment. Detectives found evidence of a scuffle: a broken picture frame, items that were tipped over and more. According to a previous Denver7 report, a witness reported hearing a woman screaming "no" repeatedly and a man yelling, "Get back here."
A medical examiner found one bullet entry wound on the back of her head.
Wilkins was arrested on Jan. 22 and charged with first-degree murder.
In a statement to police, Wilkens said his wife had shot herself.
His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2019.
