SAUK RAPIDS MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER

Benton County Judge James Hoolihan convicted 24-year old Timothy James Peterson for shooting 45-year old Howard Hines nearly two years ago. Peterson admitted to shooting Hines several times while he was parking his car. The defendant had told investigators he had not planned the killing but acted in a split-second. The judge disagreed. Defense attorneys will now try to convince the judge that Peterson is mentally ill and didn't understand the nature of his crime. Benton County Attorney Robert Raupp told the St. Cloud Times he expects testimony on Peterson's mental state to continue through Thursday.