331 wounds inflicted with six different weapons: Yoga store worker found guilty of bludgeoning colleague to death



Jury convicts Brittany Norwood of first-degree murder in one hour

29-year-old used at least six weapons to kill Jayna Murray in Maryland shop

Victim had at least 331 wounds and was alive for the duration of the attack

Murderer had allegedly been caught stealing pants from the store



A woman who killed her co-worker in a Lululemon yoga clothing shop has been convicted of first-degree murder and now faces the prospect of spending the rest of her life behind bars.

Brittany Norwood, 29, used at least half a dozen weapons from inside the store to kill Jayna Murray, 30, in a 'prolonged and brutal attack' on March 11.

These included a hammer, wrench, knife and peg used to hold up a mannequin.

Norwood was yesterday found guilty after a jury in Montgomery County, Maryland, took an hour to reach a verdict.

Weapons cache: This handout photo shows the blood-soaked weapons allegedly used by Brittany Norwood to kill Jayna Murray in a 'prolonged and brutal attack' on March 11

Deadly: This hammer was one of the many weapons used in the murder of Jayna Murray

Crime scene: The blood-spattered evidence in the brutal bludgeoning death of Jayna Murray at a Lululemon yoga store in Bethesda, Maryland, was shown in court

Colleagues: Brittany Norwood (left) murdered her co-worker Jayna Murray (right) in a frenzied attack at a yoga store in Bethesda, Maryland, in March. A jury yesterday took an hour to reach its guilty verdict



Norwood attacked Miss Murray inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in Bethesda, Maryland - a Washington, DC suburb - and then staged a robbery.



She used numerous weapons to kill her, then lied and told police that they had been attacked by masked men.

Her defence lawyer conceded that Norwood killed Miss Murray, but said it happened during a fight and wasn't premeditated.

A judge's ruling prevented both sides from discussing the fight, but prosecutors have previously said it began after suspected stolen merchandise was found during a search of Norwood's bag.



Weapon: Part of a metal merchandise rack that was one of at least six weapons used to murder Miss Murray. Norwood is said to have beaten her colleague over the head with it for around 15 minutes

Tragic end: Jayna Murray was bludgeoned to death after confronting Norwood about stealing a pair of pants



Mother: Phyllis Murray is comforted by a woman wearing a pin of her daughter, at security while waiting to re-enter the trial of Brittany Norwood

The legal argument was aimed at sparing Norwood a first-degree murder conviction, which can carry a sentence of life in prison without parole.

Murray allegedly found a pair of pants in Norwood's purse at the end of the work day, when they did mutual bag checks, as per store policy.

Norwood initially said she'd bought them from another employee, but Murray called the other employee, they denied it, and Murray confront Norwood for stealing.



Miss Murray's family choked back tears as the verdict was read and a 'yes' sounded from their side of the courtroom. Norwood and her family sat impassively and declined to comment afterwards.

Brutal: A photograph inside the Lululemon Athletica shop in Bethesda, Maryland, where Norwood bludgeoning her colleague to death before staging a robbery Brand: A black bag with a Lululemon logo belonging to Jayna Murray is part of evidence that was presented by the prosecution in the trial of Norwood

Norwood's attorney Doug Wood said she was disappointed at the speed of the verdict.

She said: 'I think that we were surprised that this happened so quick. I thought we had established a pretty good case for second-degree murder.'

Mr Wood said he expects to appeal the verdict and will argue against a life-without-parole sentence that prosecutors are seeking. Sentencing is set for January 27.

State's Attorney John McCarthy told jurors during closing arguments that there was abundant evidence of premeditation.

He said Norwood lured Miss Murray back to the shop after closing by saying she had forgotten her wallet and needed to get back inside.