LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas health care worker has been convicted of second-degree murder in the asphyxiation death of a disabled client.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the Douglas County jury on Wednesday found 49-year-old Ronald Eugene Heskett guilty in the September 2014 death of 65-year-old Vance Moulton, who suffered from cerebral palsy.

The jury, which deliberated about four hours, could have found Heskett guilty of first-degree murder.

Heskett admitted he helped Moulton die by twisting a towel around his neck. But he said he did so after repeated requests from Moulton to help him die.

Prosecutors argued throughout the trial that Moulton was murdered. They contended during closing arguments that no evidence was presented to show Moulton was suicidal. They said Heskett killed Moulton for money.