Highland Park Man Guilty of 1st-Degree Murder for 2013 Drug Deal Turned Deadly

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - A 21-year-old Highland Park man who was 17 when arrested for killing an acquaintance was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder.

Philip Vatamaniuc now faces up to 75 years in prison for the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Colin Nutter four years ago, according to a Chicago Tribune report. Vatamaniuc was part of a trio who police say arranged a drug deal with Nutter so they could rob him and steal his car.

Nutter’s body was found on June 3, 2013, just off the Edens Expressway in Wilmette. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

"Much of the four-day trial centered around whether it was Vatamaniuc or one of the other two suspects, Benjamin Schenk, who fired the weapon," reported the Chicago Tribune. "Ultimately, Rossetti said she could not determine that Vatamaniuc was the shooter, but indicated there was still enough evidence to find him guilty of murder."

Joining Schenk and Vatamaniuc in the rendezvous was Michael Coffee, who was found unfit to stand trial. The four were reportedly seated in Nutter's vehicle in a dead-end alley on the border of Highland Park and Highwood when the drug deal turned deadly.

Lake County prosecutor Jeff Pavletic listed 23 reasons that Vatamaniuc was the killer in his closing arguments, including that he initially denied involvement, according to the article. The defense reportedly positioned Vatamaniuc as more of a witness, arguing that he was simply present during the slaying.

Vatamaniuc will be sentenced at a later date. His minimum prison term will be 35 years.

Be sure to read the full Chicago Tribune report for additional details, including comments from the family, as well as consider the following Patch stories covering the Nutter murder:

• Drug Deal Turned Deadly, HP Teens Among Accused
• Defendant in Murder Case Seeks Plea Deal
• Private Conference Held for 1 Charged with Murder
• Defendants in Colin Nutter Murder Case Go on Trial
• Trial Dates Postponed for 3 Charged with Colin Nutter's Murder
• Nutter Shooting Suspect Threw Chair at Jail Guard
• Nutter Murder Suspect IDs Another as Shooter
• Accused Shooter in Colin Nutter Murder Case Gets New Trial

Image (Philip Vatamaniuc) via Lake County