A Casper man is set to be sentenced today for killing a man who had been intimate with his wife.

Edward Taylor, 43, faces the possibility of life behind bars without the possibility of parole. A jury in October convicted him of first-degree murder in the death of 48-year-old Casper resident Mark Fisher.

Prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty against Taylor.

During the five-day trial, prosecutors argued Taylor set out to kill Fisher three weeks after learning of his wife's infidelity. Taylor admitting killing Fisher on April 1, but his attorneys contended it was an act of manslaughter that took place in the heat of passion.

A jury of seven women and five men took less than two hours to convict Taylor on all counts, including murder, aggravated burglary and battery.

In the trial's most dramatic moment, Taylor described for jurors how he blasted his way in Fisher's locked home and killed him with a 12-gauge shotgun. Taylor insisted he planned to confront, rather than kill Fisher, even though he brought along a loaded shotgun and pistol.

However, Taylor also admitted that minutes before the shooting, he told his wife he was going to kill someone. Taylor and his wife were in the process of a divorce at the time.

On April 1, Taylor drove to Fisher's home, a shop on North Kenwood Street, several times. At about 6:15 p.m., he confronted his wife, who'd been watching NASCAR with Fisher and another man.

Taylor followed her to a police station, and according to her testimony, pointed his .45-caliber pistol at her head. Before leaving, he told her he was going to kill someone.

A few minutes later, police received a 911 call from Fisher's home. Arriving officers found Fisher's body inside his shop. He had been shot in the chest and head.

After the killing, Taylor drove to a friend's house in northern Natrona County. He turned himself into a Johnson County sheriff's deputy a few hours later.

Reach Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.

News Tracker

Last we knew: A jury convicted Edward Taylor of first-degree murder in the April 1 death of Mark Fisher.

The latest: A judge is scheduled to sentence Taylor today.

What's next: Taylor will begin his prison sentence, presumably at the Wyoming State Penitentiary.