Rodney Davenport reacts as the jury verdict is read. Photo by MIKE MERCIER

A 12-person jury unanimously declared the 40-year-old Otter Lake resident guilty on six counts of first degree murder Thursday morning— three pre-mediated and three felony in the July 2006 stabbing deaths of Marie Melzer, 76, James Hanson, 50, and Allyn Oesterle, 61, at Pines of Lapeer Apartments on Oregon Road.

Family members of the victims agreed a heavy burden was lifted off their shoulders.

"I'm glad justice finally got served," said James Hanson, Jr. "It's a relief. I don't think (Davenport) knew what he did."

As the verdicts were read, Davenport shook his head in disagreement and looked stunned at what he was hearing. After court was adjourned, his family and support team were in tears, with several openly heard saying, "It's not fair. It's not fair."

Davenport's sister, Laura Lee, commented on the family's behalf.

"It's not easy," she said. "We did not expect this to happen. They need to be looking at somebody else. We hope they do their job.

"It's really, really hard."

Defense attorney Daniel Van Norman said he was disappointed with the result after all the work he and fellow attorney Earl Morgan put into the case. The decision comes nearly a year after the murders took place.

"It's been a part of our lives," Van Norman said, adding he believes the two did everything they could in Davenport's defense. "The jury just disagreed."

He adds he is "virtually certain" an appeal will take place.

Lapeer County Prosecuting Attorney Byron Konschuh complimented the work of local law enforcement and noted if someone commits a crime, "they pay."

The essential outcome, he added, is a killer has been put behind bars.

"It's a hollow victory," he said. "This doesn't change things for the family. But the community is protected."

Melzer was found stabbed to death in her apartment July 17, and Hanson and Oesterle were found stabbed to death the following day, not far from the apartment where Melzer's body was discovered.

The jury consisted of eight women and four men. Second degree murder charges, which would have been considered if Davenport wasn't convicted of first degree charges, were dismissed. Jury deliberations, which began Tuesday, lasted between six to seven hours over three days.

A sentencing date has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 18 in front of Circuit Court Judge Nick Holowka. The mandatory sentence is life in prison without parole.

Jeff Hoard can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8127 or jeff.hoard@lapeergroup.com.