Wake County man convicted of killing in-laws, shooting & beating wife

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – A jury has convicted a 32-year-old man of fatally shooting his in-laws and trying to kill his estranged wife in 2014.

Local media outlets report Nathan Holden was found guilty Monday of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

Holden killed 57-year-old Angelia Taylor and 66-year-old Sylvester Taylor at their home near Wendell in April 2014. He also pistol-whipped and shot his estranged wife LaTonya Allen in the face and chest as their three children hid in a closet.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Hambouger acknowledged Holden committed the crimes but argued the killings were second-degree murder because he didn’t plan them.