Guilty Verdict in Mankato Murder Case

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — Jurors in Blue Earth County District Court have convicted a man of killing a woman with whom he once had a relationship and attempting to kill her husband.

The convictions Friday trigger the second phase of Levi Minissale's trial. The phase determining Minissale's mental health at the time of the crime begins Monday.

KTOE radio reports jurors deliberated a short time before convicting

of fatally attacking Yesenia "Sunny" Gonzalez with a knife at her Mankato home in June 2013. Minissale was also convicted of attempting to kill the woman's husband, Gallo Buccio Ruiz.

Defense attorney Brock Hunter told jurors during closing arguments that they will hear the "back story" that hasn't yet emerged during the second phase of the trial.