DeJong convicted of murder in the first degree

A 12-person jury found Susan DeJong, 55, guilty of first degree murder Monday afternoon in Jefferson County District Court. Judge Paul Korsland accepted the verdict and scheduled DeJong’s sentencing for May 3 at 11 a.m. She faces life in prison.

DeJong is guilty of beating her husband Thomas DeJong to death. Evidence in the trial indicated the couple had a long history of domestic abuse – Susan DeJong often gave excuses for Thomas’ injuries.

Thomas was found not breathing March 11, 2011, in the DeJong home located two miles east of the Jefferson County/Thayer County border. He was badly beaten. Rescue workers were able to revive him, but he died later at the Jefferson County Hospital. Susan DeJong, who called 911 and said Thomas was hurt and not breathing, was arrested the next morning.