A 31-year-old man was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison July 22 in the 2002 slaying of Mark Francis.

According to District Attorney Mark Hurlbert, Brent McKellip was convicted of one count of first-degree murder, two counts of providing a juvenile with a handgun, and one count of vehicle theft.

McKellip was initially convicted of murder after a trial in 2006. However, that conviction was overturned by the Colorado Court of Appeals in 2009, which resulted in the new trial.

“Justice was a long time coming in this case,” Hurlbert said. “However, in the end justice was done. The family of Mark Francis had to endure this nightmare for eight years and through two trials. Our hearts go out to them.”