Abney, a 31-year-old Oregon resident, sat motionless as the verdicts were read, then reached up at one point to rub his eyes.
After one day of deliberation, the jury in Superior Court Judge Joan P. Weber's courtroom also found Abney guilty of robbery and auto theft stemming from the incident. A charge of aggravated mayhem was reduced to a misdemeanor count of simple mayhem.
Abney faces life plus eight years in prison when Judge Runston "Tony" Maino sentences him on April 26.
After the verdict was read, the victim ---- 43-year-old Elizabeth Wadsworth ---- said that she learned a valuable lesson from her experience and that she plans to share it with others.
"People should beware the dangers of Internet dating," Wadsworth said. "Don't believe everything you read."
Wadsworth testified that she had a monthlong romance with Abney over the Internet and the telephone before Abney called to tell her he was coming to visit in May. When he arrived, Abney stayed with Wadsworth for a week at her apartment.
After feigning an attempt to hire an airport shuttle to pick him up, Abney attacked Wadsworth early in the morning on May 12 as the pair hugged goodbye. Abney threw Wadsworth on the bed and began strangling her.
After blacking out, Wadsworth testified that she awoke to see Abney charging at her with his hand raised. She blacked again and awoke to find herself covered in blood and a hammer lying next to her, she said.
Police later arrested Abney aboard an Alaska Airlines flight bound for Oregon. In addition to finding Wadsworth's car in the parking lot at Lindbergh Field, officers also found her purse and wallet in Abney's carry-on bag.
During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Christine Trevino argued that during his stay Abney made efforts to keep his visit a secret to those who knew Wadsworth. Wadsworth's landlord, who lived on the same property, told authorities he did not know Abney was there.
Juror Philip Soehl of Encinitas said the evidence showed Abney was planning a murder ---- such as asking Wadsworth not to tell anyone he was staying with her.
"There were multiple acts that show he was giving thoughts to the crime," Soehl, 48, said.
Abney's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Scott Cadzow, would not comment after the verdict was announced. During the trial, Cadzow argued that his client may have intended to rob the victim, but not kill her.
However, Soehl said the nature of the attack suggested otherwise.
"One does not smash someone in the head with a hammer without wanting to murder them," Soehl said.
3/25/00