MARTINEZ - The younger brother of a man who believed he was a prophet of God has been convicted of murdering five people, including the daughter of blues guitarist Elvin Bishop.
The Contra Costa County jury deliberated less than a day before finding Justin Helzer guilty of murdering 22-year old Selina Bishop and four other people, including Bishop's mother and her boyfriend.
The jury also found Helzer guilty on charges of kidnapping, robbery, extortion and drug possession. The bizarre crime spree took place during the summer of 2000. It was uncovered when the dismembered remains of Bishop and an elderly couple were found inside gym bags floating in the Mokelumme River. Bishop's mother and her boyfriend were shot to death in Marin County.
Jurors spent five weeks hearing testimony about the murder and extortion scheme planned and carried out by Helzer, his 33-year old brother, Glenn Taylor Helzer, and their roommate, Dawn Godman. The plot was designed to raise money for a quasi-religious organization they hoped to form as part of a "war on Satan."
In March, Glenn Helzer, who had been Bishop's boyfriend, unexpectedly pleaded guilty in the case. Godman testified against Justin Helzer as part of a plea agreement in which she will be sentenced to 37 years to life in prison.
In his closing argument Tuesday, prosecutor Hal Jewett told the jury that Justin Helzer twice called carpet cleaning companies to remove what turned out to be bloodstains at his Concord home, where Selina Bishop and the first victims, Ivan and Annette Stineman, were allegedly beaten and stabbed to death before their bodies were sawed up.
The same jury that convicted Helzer now will hear testimony and make a decision about his mental state at the time of the murders. If he's found sane, he could be sentenced to death.
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