WALKER — A Cass County jury has convicted a man of killing an acquaintance as the victim begged him to stop.

The county attorney’s office said the jury deliberated for three hours Friday before convicting 29-year-old Dane J. Riley of Pine River. He was accused of killing 27-year-old Mark Huesmann in July 2012, burying his body and burning his clothes.

Prosecutors said a woman staying with Riley told investigators she awoke to the sound of gunshots. She says she saw Riley hitting Huesmann outside as Huesmann begged him to stop.

She said Riley came into the trailer later and told her not to say anything about what she’d seen.

County Attorney Christopher Strandlie said he’ll request the maximum 40-year sentence.

A message left with Riley’s public defender Saturday was not immediately returned.