*CRIMINAL CASE UPDATE*
MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIS ROOMMATE

INDIO, CA - A Riverside County jury today convicted Michael Joseph Grodio, 58, of first-degree murder with an enhancement for the use of a firearm during the commission of the murder.

Deputy District Attorney Christopher Ross prosecuted the case. "We are thankful that the jury was able to fairly evaluate the evidence and render the appropriate and just verdict," Ross said. "We hope this will be an important step toward providing closure to the victim's family."

Grodio had been renting a room in David Tarlow's apartment for four months when Tarlow asked Grodio to move out because Grodio would not clean up after himself. On Sept. 9, 2007, Grodio became upset by the victim's request and retrieved a .45- caliber handgun from his room. When Grodio pointed the gun at the victim, Tarlow turned his back and began to move away from Grodio. As Tarlow moved away he was shot in the back and died later that same day.

Grodio admitted to investigators that he shot the victim because he was "annoyed" with him. Grodio said of the victim: "He was pushing my buttons."

Grodio faces a potential sentence of 50 years to life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. on September 11, 2009, in Department 3S of the Larson Justice Center.