US court convicts Nigerian for killing fiancee

A US court in Fort Bend County, Houston, Texas, has convicted a Nigerian, Osa Alohaneke, for the 2015 stabbing to death of his fiancée.

A jury found him guilty on Friday of the slaying of Evelyne Ebane Epiepang.

The jury is yet to determine his sentence.

Alohaneke, 59, looked down and showed no emotion when the verdict was read in court.

Prosecutors alleged that Alohaneke used a kitchen knife to attack Epiepang, 52, his fiancée and her friend, Veronica Taku.

Alohaneke, who was living at the time in a section of southwest Houston that lies in Fort Bend County, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Jurors acquitted Alohaneke of the assault charges.

Epiepang was stabbed more than 30 times and died as she called 911 operators for help.

Screams echoed in the courtroom for more than four minutes when prosecutors played the 911 call for jurors last week.

When police arrived, Alohaneke was on the phone with an attorney, his hands covered in blood.

Blood was splatted on his arms up to his elbows, Assistant District Attorney Amanda Bolin told jurors during her closing arguments.

Jurors now begin the penalty phase. Alohaneke faces a sentence of up to life in prison.