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Guilty Verdict In Benicia Meth-Fueled Teen Torture Killing

MARTINEZ (CBS/AP) -- A Benicia man accused of killing an 18-year-old man during a meth high has been found guilty of first-degree murder and torture.

Robert Gardner is facing up to 25 years to life in prison in the December 2009 death of 18-year-old Martinez resident Eric Bean. He was convicted Thursday.

Authorities said Bean was hogtied and tortured for hours before another defendant in the case, Timothy Delosreyes III, put a dagger in his mouth and stepped on it. Bean choked on his own blood.

Also charged were Delosreyes's father and Gardner's wife. Authorities said they were high on methamphetamine and afraid Bean would implicate them in the theft of his father's guns.

The father and son were awaiting trial, while the wife accepted a plea deal.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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