Murder and arson conviction for Sonoma man

<p>A Sonoma County jury Tuesday convicted a 35-year-old man of murdering a Santa Rosa woman and setting fire to her house to try to cover it up.</p><p>John Wayne of Sonoma was convicted of first-degree murder, arson, robbery, burglary and two counts of cruelty to animals in the Jan. 22, 2006 slaying of April Denton, 52.</p><p>Prosecutors said Wayne went to Denton's Mountain View Avenue house looking to score prescription pills and found her asleep in bed. He shot her in the neck, killing her, and returned to set the house on fire. Denton's two dogs were killed in the blaze.</p><p>He faces life in prison without parole when he is sentenced May 11, Assistant District Attorney Diana Gomez said.</p><p>A former co-defendant, Steven J. King, 29, pleaded to lesser charges and is to be sentenced March 18. He was accused of driving Wayne to and from Denton's home and helping him light the fire.</p><p>Jurors deliberated a little more than one day after the five-week trial ended Friday.</p>