Judge finds man guilty of murder, robbery in connection to stolen pickup, fatal wreck

A man blamed for a fiery wreck that killed his girlfriend as they fled police in a stolen truck was convicted Monday.

Pierce County Superior Court Judge Edmund Murphy found 24-year-old Anthony Hem guilty of second-degree murder and first degree robbery.

Hem previously pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, second-degree assault and trying to elude police.

He opted to have a bench trial for the robbery and murder charges, which meant the verdict was left to Murphy to decide, instead of a jury.

Hem faces a standard sentencing range of about 24 to 33 years for the convictions.

Marisa Richie, 26, died from the injuries she suffered in the May 10, 2015, wreck.

Prosecutors said she, Hem and 21-year-old Pierre Jennings stole a 2004 GMC pickup from a Lakewood apartment complex after they attacked the owner.

They fled, prompting a high-speed chase when police spotted them. The pursuit ended when Hem lost control of the truck, which crashed into a utility pole near East 64th Street and Waller Road.

Jennings was sentenced to 14 years, three months in prison after he pleaded guilty.

Hem argued at trial that Jennings was the one who assaulted the truck owner.

This story was originally published September 12, 2016 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Judge finds man guilty of murder, robbery in connection to stolen pickup, fatal wreck."