CHICAGO -- The boyfriend of a former Time magazine reporter was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in her 2003 death after a judge rejected a more serious charge.
George Thompson, 36, had faced a first-degree murder charge in the death of Julie Grace. Grace worked in Time's Chicago office from 1991 to 2001.
Prosecutors argued during the non-jury trial that Thompson pushed Grace into a dresser at their Chicago apartment on May 17, 2003, and then did nothing as her condition worsened over three days. Defense attorneys countered that Grace could have sought help but didn't.
An autopsy report concluded the 41-year-old died of bronchial pneumonia brought on by a head injury from "blunt trauma," and officials said liver disease was a contributing factor.
In rejecting the murder charge Tuesday, Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan mentioned the testimony of a grocery store clerk who said Grace called him the day after she was injured and ordered a delivery of food, vodka and cigarettes.
Grace and Thompson met in a rehabilitation program, and he testified during the trial that he is an alcoholic and that the couple had several brutal fights.
Thompson faces a maximum of five years in prison when he is sentenced June 15. He has already served three years while awaiting trial.
