Jury convicts Antwan Mims of 2 counts of first degree murder

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- Antwan Mims has been found guilty of all charges in the deaths of Michael Johnson and Cortez Miller who were shot to death in Benton Harbor in March 2018.

Jurors began deliberations just before 2 p.m. and returned a verdict just before 5 p.m.

Mims was found guilty of two counts of first degree premeditated murder, possession of a firearm by a felon and two felony weapons counts.

Mims took the stand in his own defense on Thursday.

He said Miller and Johnson were the aggressors and he left a party the night of the shooting to avoid running into them.

Mims also said Johnson had a gun on him that night.

The prosecution said Mims was the aggressor in this case. Both Johnson and Miller were shot in the back of the head.

In addition, police said they did not find any weapons on Johnson at the scene.

The trial started last Tuesday and continued into this week.

Johnson's mother told reporters after the verdict was read that she was relieved and happy her son's killer was brought to justice.

Mims will be sentenced on March 18.