Updated Oct 26, 2012 - 2:54 pm
Man convicted for 1978 fatal Phoenix bar shooting
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PHOENIX -- A man has been convicted in a 1978 fatal shooting of a disabled veteran at a south Phoenix bar.
Maricopa County prosecutors said George Jones, 55, faces 25 years to life in prison when he's sentenced Nov. 27.
Jones already was incarcerated in Yuma for unrelated drug charges when he was indicted in the first-degree murder case in February.
Authorities said a palm print on a beer bottle linked Jones to the killing of Duane "Bud" Gruette, 45.
Police said three armed men entered the Westward Tavern just after midnight on July 18, 1978, with intent of committing a robbery. They forced employees and patrons to the ground at gunpoint.
Police said one of the robbers threw a beer bottle at Gruette before he was shot twice in the back.
