An Okmulgee man has been convicted of First Degree Murder following a trial in federal court this week.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced Wednesday that Elijha Dewayne Taylor, age 34, was found guilty by a federal jury at trial of one count of Murder in the First Degree in Indian Country, one count of Causing the Death of a Person in the Course of a Violation, and one count of Using, Carrying, Brandishing and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.

The jury trial began with testimony on Monday and concluded on Tuesday, with the guilty verdicts.

At trial, the government presented evidence that on March 4, 2023, Taylor approached a Muskogee apartment building, entered an apartment, then intentionally shot the victim with a .22 firearm before fleeing. The victim later died at an area hospital.

The guilty verdicts were the result of an investigation by the Muskogee Police Department, the Muskogee County Sheriff ’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Honorable Keith Starrett, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, sitting by assignment, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a pre-sentence report.

The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report. Taylor remains in custody of the United States Marshal until sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Attorneys Richard Lorenz and Gregory Dean Burris represented the United States.