SHREVEPORT, Louisiana — A Barksdale airman has been found guilty in the murder of his roommate.

Airman 1st Class Isaiah Edwards was convicted Thursday by a seven-member Air Force panel in the slaying of Airman 1st Class Bradley Hale, 20, who was found stabbed to death in the early morning hours of March 27, 2018, in the living quarters he shared with Edwards at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.

Both men had deployed to Guam in early 2018 but were stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. The airmen were both assigned to the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as electronic warfare journeymen.

Edwards’ trial began last week at the federal courthouse in Shreveport.

Edwards claimed in testimony on Monday that the stabbing was committed in self-defense. He was charged with unpremeditated murder, but jurors could have also considered lesser offenses of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.

Hale’s family members hugged and cried after the guilty verdict was read. Jurors deliberated for a total of just under 11 hours from late Tuesday afternoon to mid-morning Thursday.

The sentencing phase began Thursday afternoon, with several of Hale's family members and friends giving victim impact statements.

Hale was from Montgomery County, Texas, and joined the Air Force in 2016.

Hale's mother, Charla Hale, said in her statement that she could not breathe when she was told of her son's death.

"He was my best friend and my heart," she said. "I felt like it was just ripped from me."

Court will resume Friday morning.

More on this topic

Barksdale airman testifies in own defense during murder trial

Attorney claims that airman homicide was self-defense

Colleagues of accused Barksdale airman testify in murder trial

Barksdale airman pleads not guilty in stabbing death

Father of dead Barksdale airman: alleged killer often tried to pick fights

Barksdale airman stabbed in Guam remembered as friendly, smart

Fellow airman held in death of Barksdale airman on Guam