Theodore Wafer found guilty of second-degree murder for killing Renisha McBride

Theodore Wafer has been found guilty of second-degree murder for killing an unarmed black woman who banged on his door at night last year.

Jurors rejected Theodore Wafer’s claim that he acted in self-defense when he fired a shotgun through his screen door at Renisha McBride, 19, in November.

Theodore Wafer, 55, faces up to life in prison, but it is likely his actual sentence will be much shorter.

Renisha McBride, who was drunk, had crashed her car nearby some hours before.

The case has raised the issue of the use of guns in self-defense in America, analysts say.

Theodore Wafer told jurors he fired after being awaked in the early hours of November 2, 2013, by loud banging on his door, because he was afraid and did not want to be a victim in his own home, in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

However, prosecutors said Theodore Wafer should have called the police.

In his closing remarks on Wednesday, prosecutor Patrick Muscat said it was likely that Renisha McBride was looking for help after crashing her car nearby.

As well as being convicted of second-degree murder, Theodore Wafer has also been found guilty of manslaughter.