A Jefferson County jury has found Rodricke Shari, 39, of Aurora, guilty of the murder of his wife in May, 2008.

On May 9, 2008, Lakewood Police were called to 679 S. Reed to do a welfare check on 34 year-old Kathryn Young. Inside the home police found Kathryn Young dead, lying on the bed. She had been stabbed 21 times by her estranged husband, Rodricke Shari. Young had moved out of the home that she shared with Shari to get away from his violent temper.

After two weeks of trial, the jury deliberated just over a day before finding Shari guilty of First Degree Murder – After Deliberation, Felony Murder, and Aggravated Robbery. They returned their verdict late in the afternoon on January 14.

After Shari stabbed Kathryn Young to death, he stole almost $700 of tip money that she had earned waiting tables at a nearby Red Lobster. Her co-workers told police that Young had recently left Shari because he was so violent. Young told them she was afraid that he would find the address at the apartment on South Reed where she was living with her mother. They said that Shari would show up and wait for Kathryn Young in the parking lot at the Red Lobster.

“We are pleased with the verdict,” said District Attorney Scott Storey. “But it doesn’t bring Kathryn Young back. The biggest tragedy is that she was trying to get away, to get to safety. Domestic Violence is so insidious; it destroys lives, families and communities. We’ve created a Family Violence Unit to help us add another layer of safety. We can improve our prevention efforts and do a better job of getting resources to women who are trying to get to safety.”

Shari has a history of domestic violence and was on parole for a drug conviction when he murdered Kathryn Young.

Shari was sentenced immediately to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the First Degree Murder and Felony Murder convictions. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the Aggravated Robbery, to be served consecutively to the life sentences.