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A former San Carlos man was convicted of first-degree murder Wednesday in the death of his girlfriend, who was shot five times while lying in her bed.
The San Diego Superior Court jury deliberated less than one day before finding Charles Fremont McDonald, 45, guilty in the Nov. 12 1984, slaying of Helen Muro, 39, in the Player Drive home they shared.
McDonald claimed self-defense in the shooting, saying that Muro was an alcoholic who pointed a gun at him during an argument. He testified that he grabbed the gun from her and fired. McDonald was a fugitive for five months until his March, 1985, arrest in Los Angeles after he was stopped for a traffic offense.
McDonald could face life in state prison when Judge William Kennedy imposes sentence. He was ordered held in County Jail without bail.
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