UTICA — A Utica man who was present when his girlfriend suffered a fatal gunshot wound was found guilty in a jury trial of illegally owning the firearm that was used, according to the Oneida County District Attorney's Office.

Steven P. Mancuso, 51, was found guilty by a jury on Dec. 2 of second and third-degree possession of a weapon, court officials said. Mancuso faces up to 15 years in state prison when he returns for sentencing on Feb. 1. The trial lasted five days.

Authorities said Lisa Falange suffered an apparent gunshot wound to the head at a residence on Leslie Avenue around 3 a.m. Oct. 12, 2021. Falange's boyfriend, Mancuso, was never charged with her death, authorities stated. He was at the residence, and he owned the firearm that was used, prosecutors said.

Because of a previous criminal conviction in federal court, Mancuso was prohibited from owned a firearm, authorities stated.