Man Convicted Of Murder In Widefield Teen’s 2010 Death

A Pennsylvania man who previously lived in Colorado Springs has been convicted of third-degree murder for shooting a longtime friend in what he claimed was an accident.

20-year-old Eric Rutledge could face life in prison following his conviction Thursday in the November 2010 death of 18-year-old Courtney Daily, who was from the Widefield area.

Rutledge had testified that he and Daily had handed the shotgun back and forth, discussing whether either of them would be able to shoot someone. Rutledge had told authorities he didn’t know the gun was loaded but testified at trial that he had loaded the gun and taken the safety off.

Defense attorney Alex Lindsay said Rutledge did not intend to kill Daily, noting they had ordered pizza minutes earlier.

Daily had moved to Pennsylvania from Colorado the week before she was killed, according to her mother. She was staying at Rutledge’s home in Seven Fields, about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Daily and Rutledge both had attended Mesa Ridge High School.