WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A Whatcom Superior Court jury has found a Seattle man guilty of 2nd degree murder for killing his brother in North Cascades National Park.

John Thomson was originally charged with first degree murder for shooting his brother Robert Thomson to death near Diablo Lake in August 2022.

Court documents state that 42-year-old John Thomson and his 69-year-old brother went to their cabin in Republic so John could detox from heroin and alcohol. John told detectives that his brother beat, belittled and pepper sprayed him as they drove back.

He said that pushed him over the edge and he shot Robert 20 times when they stopped at a turnout to relieve themselves. John then threw his brother’s body down an embankment in hopes it wouldn’t be found.

He pleaded not guilty, and his public defender argued that Thomson has acted out of fear for his own life.

Thomson is a previously convicted felon and was also found guilty of unlawful firearm possession.

He’ll be sentenced on June 5.