In September of 2016, Robert Tester, the nephew of Montana Senator Jon Tester was found brutally murdered in his Spokane, Washington home.

On Wednesday afternoon, his killer, John Radavich was found guilty of first degree murder in a Spokane courtroom.

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Corporal Mark Gregory has details.

“In Spokane Superior Court today before Judge Moreno the jury came back with a finding of first degree murder for the suspect John Radavich for the killing of Robert Tester in September of 2016,” said Gregory. “Mr. Radavich was arrested in January of 2017 and has been in the Spokane County Detention Center awaiting trial.”

Gregory said the crime scene was brutal in that Tester's eight year-old daughter was in the house at the time of the murder.

In a press release, Gregory wrote: ‘Detectives learned the victim’s 8-year-old daughter witnessed a portion of the brutal murder.  She attempted to call 911 and other family members but was unable to make contact with anyone. Several hours later, she made contact with a family member who immediately called 911. Investigators, with the assistance of Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Forensic and Washington State Patrol Crime Lab Technicians, processed the extraordinarily bloody and gruesome scene for evidence.’

“This was a horrific crime,” he said. “People should feel safe in their homes and that’s what was so shocking was that Mr. Tester was in his home with high eight year-old daughter at the time when Radavich entered the home and brutally killed him. That’s what was so shocking. The brutality of the crime and knowing that his eight year-old little daughter was there during that horrific event.”

Gregory said Radavich could face a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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