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Man convicted in John Dahlinger murder

Posted at 5:43 PM, Dec 10, 2014
and last updated 2014-12-10 17:52:36-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Danyell Thomas was found guilty Wednesday of murdering West Michigan businessman John Dahlinger.

Dahlinger, 56, was found dead in his Grand Rapids home last fall.  An autopsy revealed he died of blunt force trauma, a gunshot wound and a heart attack.

Officials say 25-year-old Dijana Kilic was working as a prostitute on Oct. 16, 2013 when she distracted Dahlinger while Thomas, her ex-boyfriend, broke into the residence to rob him.

Danyell Thomas (left) and Dijana Kilic (right)

Kilic pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery in January and was ordered to testify against Thomas as part of the agreement.

She was released from jail in November after spending nearly a year behind bars.  She also received five years of probation as part of a plea agreement.

Thomas faces life in prison and will be sentenced at a later date.