LANCASTER – A Lancaster man was convicted Monday of attempted voluntary manslaughter and mayhem for shooting his wife during an argument on Christmas Day 2014.
Jurors deliberated for about a day before finding 65-year-old Thomas Richard Silas guilty of the felony charges, according to Deputy District Attorney Catherine Mariano. The panel also found true allegations of gun use and great bodily injury under circumstances involving domestic violence.
Silas faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Sentencing is set for May 11.
Silas shot his wife three times following an argument about finances during a family get-together in the early morning hours of Christmas Day 2014, the prosecutor said.
Silas got a gun and confronted his wife, telling her to shoot him with it, according to authorities. When she refused, he shot her in the stomach. The victim survived the attack.
Sheriff’s deputies dispatched at 12:30 a.m. to a home in the 2700 block of East Avenue J-4 found Silas in the front yard holding a handgun. Deputies said he dropped the gun when ordered and was detained without further incident.
The couple’s adult daughter and other family members were at the home for a holiday party.
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