Cleveland Man Guilty of Murder in Waterbury Shooting

Even though he didn’t pull the trigger, a Cleveland man was found guilty in the murder of his 17-year-old stepbrother, who was was killed in a on Jan. 6.

Frederick Burt, 31, faces life in prison after a jury found him guilty on charges of felony murder Wednesday after he and his stepbrother, Charles Wilson, attempted to rob the home at 2051 Waterbury Avenue.

That’s when .

Police say that a , and shot and killed Wilson.

Burt ran out of the home and was shot in the leg in the driveway. 

Burt, who has recovered from his gunshot wound, was charged with felony murder — a statute designed to charge a suspect when someone is killed during the commission of a felony.

“He was there to commit a very heinous crime, an armed robbery,” said Lakewood Law Director Kevin Butler earlier this year. “That’s why this statute exists.”

The jury also found Burt guilty of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and having weapons while under disability. 

There had been seven continuances in the case since Burt was arraigned Jan. 25.

The trial began last week, and nine witnesses took the stand since last Thursday.

Burt was “not interested in pursuing a plea and wishes to proceed to trial,” according to court records.

Burt’s sentencing date has been set for Sept. 27.

The case for the 17-year-old Cleveland boy suspected of shooting Wilson is still pending in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court.