READING, Pa. -- A jury on Thursday found a man guilty of first degree murder for killing a woman with whom he was having an affair.
Prosecutors will now ask the jury to sentence Glenn Lyons to death for the 2008 murder of Kathy Leibig in South Heidelberg Township, Berks County.
The penalty phase of the trial is scheduled to start Monday.
The jury deliberated about two hours and 15 minutes before reaching its verdict, twice returning to the courtroom to ask the judge a question.
The verdict was met with horrified screams and sighs of relief. Lyons' daughter wailed and his family was removed from the courtroom when the verdict was read.
"Today doesn't make it any easier," said Brandy Layser, Kathy Leibig's niece. "But we know that that monster will not be able to ever walk outside of a prison cell again. And that's justice enough for our family."
Leibig's family hugged and cried as the verdict was read.
It's been three years since Leibig's body was found inside her SUV at the Wernersville State Hospital.
Lyons took the stand Thursday morning.
He talked about his romantic relationship with Leibig and how the couple planned a rendezvous the day of her murder.
Lyons told jurors he and Leibig were attacked by an unknown man. Lyons said he was beaten unconscious and came to to find Leibig's body.
Lyons told the jury why he ran from the scene.
"Who's going to believe me? I'm with a married woman," said Lyons. "I'm an ex-con. And I'm up here in the mountains," Lyons testified. "Who's going to believe me? First thing I'm thinking is my life is over."
After the verdict, Lyons remained skeptical of the justice system.
Exclusive Video: Convicted Killer Reacts To Verdict
"Twelve white jurors and a black guy supposed to be killing a white lady, what'd you expect?" Lyons asked as he was being led back to the Berks County Jail. "A guy... an ex-con... what'd you expect?"
Lyons testified for 90 minutes Thursday, essentially a fight for his life. Now, his life will be the focus of the next phase of the trial.
"We're just really happy with the outcome today," Layser said. "And we just really hope that he gets the death penalty in the end."
The sentencing phase will begin Monday.
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