MN man found guilty in punching death of unborn baby

 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A jury has convicted a Hopkins man accused of paying a friend to punch his pregnant girlfriend to kill the fetus.

Twenty-five-year-old Dameon Gatson was charged with first- and second-degree murder and first-degree assault.

Prosecutors say Gatson arranged the events that led to his daughter's premature birth in 2007 and her death nine days later after severe bleeding in the brain.

Gatson and then 18-year-old Paul Petersen were charged with second degree murder and first degree assault for physically attacking Gatson's girlfriend, who was six months pregnant.

Police say Petersen told them that Gatson offered him $200 to cause a miscarriage in his girlfriend because he thought she was cheating on him and he didn't want another child.

Police say Gatson paid the man $40 after he hit Shyloe Linde twice in the stomach. She was six months pregnant.

The first-degree murder conviction carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 10.

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