Adams guilty on all counts

PALMER — After seven hours deliberation over two days, the jury in the Frank Adams murder trial reached a verdict Thursday — guilty on all counts.

Prosecutor Rachel Gernat said that, as in any murder case, the result was bittersweet. Adams was convicted of first-degree murder, which was definitely the result she had hoped for, but, “Stacey’s not here to be with her family.”

Adams, 47, was pulled over in July of 2007 on suspicion of drunken driving. Officers on scene quickly discovered the beaten, bloodied body of Stacey Johnston in the back of his red hatchback.

The charge of first-degree murder carries a sentence of up to 99 years. Adams was also convicted of evidence tampering for burning the clothes Johnston wore when she was killed.

He is scheduled to be sentenced June 26. Gernat told Superior Court Judge Beverly Cutler she expects the sentencing hearing to last half a day.