Former Portland firefighter found guilty of killing his elderly mother

VANCOUVER, Wash. - A former Portland firefighter was found guilty Friday of beating and strangling his 90-year-old mother to death last year.

In January of 2008, David Gaul was found severely intoxicated next to his mother's body in her Hazel Dell home.  Police said he was so drunk he could barely stand and had to go to detox after he was taken into custody.  At the time, he had just been released from jail after serving six months for a DUI conviction.

Gaul had been staying at his mother's home following his release.  Family members told police Junette Gaul had been sleeping in her vehicle in a store parking lot because she feared being home alone with her son.  She even went so far as to take out a restraining order on him, just hours before she was killed.

Gaul was found guilty on five counts in his mother's murder.  His next court appearance is scheduled for April 22 to review the sentencing date.

Gaul retired from the Portland Fire Bureau in March of 2007 but had been on disability leave since August of 2002.  He carried the rank of Fire Lieutenant.

For more on the court proceedings in the case, you can check out The Columbian's article.  The Columbian is a news partner of KATU News.