A Clay Township man now awaits sentencing after a jury found him not guilty of the most serious charge tied to the Aug. 24, 2006, death of a Center Township woman.

However, Samuel Tiche Jr., 65, was convicted Friday of homicide by vehicle.

Tiche will be sentenced April 1 by Butler County Judge Tim McCune, who presided over the trial. Tiche's lawyer said he will appeal.

The jury found Tiche guilty on charges of homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and two counts of forgery. He was found not guilty of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.

Separately, McCune found Tiche guilty of DUI, driving an unregistered vehicle, and a number of traffic violations and summary offenses.

The case before the jury Friday concerned 77-year-old Kikuko "Khris" Whann, who was killed when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Tiche as she was trimming hedges in her yard more than three years ago.

Her son, Victor Whann, was pleased about the verdict: "I am happy for my family We've been waiting."