Brittany Norwood was convicted by a jury Wednesday of first-degree murder for the killing of a co-worker at a Bethesda yoga-clothing store. The victim, Jayna Murray, 30, sustained at least 331 stabbing, cutting, beating and choking injuries before she died in the back hallway of the Lululemon store. Norwood killed Murray the night of March 11, and prosecutors say at least half a dozen weapons were used. Norwood then lied and told police they were attacked by masked men.
Norwood’s defense lawyers hoped to escape a first-degree murder charge. Prosecutors argued that the savagery and duration of the attack—at least 16 minutes to inflict that many injuries—proved it was premeditated. Norwood’s defense did not offer a possible motive for the killing, though it is speculated Murray may have confronted Norwood about a shoplifted item in Norwood’s purse.
