By Associated Press - Tuesday, April 30, 2019

PHOENIX (AP) - Jurors have convicted a man of first-degree murder in the 2017 shooting death of a Mesa High School math teacher who had been his friend and roommate.

Maricopa County Superior Court officials say 29-year-old Caleb Bartels faces a June 10 sentencing after a jury on Monday convicted him of first-degree murder, aggravated assault and burglary and acquitted him of criminal damage.

Bartels was accused of killing 26-year-old Ryne Zahner as Zahner sat in his Tempe backyard on Jan. 15, 2017.



Bartels was arrested in California several days after the shooting.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Story Topics

Please read our comment policy before commenting.