A third suspect was convicted last week for his role in an ambush at a 2009 New Year’s party that left one person dead and another seriously injured.A Montgomery County jury deliberated for less than a hour at the conclusion of a two-day trial last Wednesday and found David Johnson, 22, of St. Louis, guilty of five felonies, including second-degree murder. He also was charged with two counts of armed criminal action, first-degree assault and first-degree burglary.Johnson will be sentenced by Judge Keith Sutherland April 15. The trial was held in Montgomery County after a change of venue was granted in the case.Johnson is facing 30 years to life in prison.Two other suspects, Matthew L. Johnson and Matthew Marshall, are already serving prison sentences.David Johnson was 15 when the crime occurred. He was certified to be tried as an adult in 2010.The fatal stabbing occurred Jan. 1, 2009, in the 13000 block of Bobwhite Lane in Wright City. Police said the three suspects arrived at the residence brandishing bats and knives, according to a caller who phoned 911 at 12:51 a.m.When authorities arrived at the home, 31-year-old Fernando A. Melgar, of the 30000 block of Sherry Drive, was dead. He had been stabbed several times in the chest, abdomen and back.Though it was unknown which of the three suspects stabbed Melgar, Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Kelly King said the evidence proved David Johnson was involved in the ambush. Following the altercation, David Johnson also disposed of a knife by throwing it from a vehicle on Interstate 70, authorities said. The knife was never recovered.“He went in right after Marshall kicked in the door,” King said about David Johnson. “Witnesses said he was involved in the fight. One of the knives they threw out was his. That is undisputed. “All of the evidence showed he was acting in concert and he was with the co-defendants.”A second victim, Raymond Post, then 45, who lived at the residence where the party was being held, also was stabbed. He was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital. Authorities said Post had his spleen removed, liver damaged and a lung was punctured.David Johnson did not testify at last week’s trial.In 2014, prior to King becoming prosecutor, Sutherland rejected a plea agreement that would have reduced the murder charge to assault and dropped the burglary and tampering charges, according to court documents.Matthew Johnson and Matthew Marshall are serving 24- and 18-year prison sentences, respectively. Marshall testified against David Johnson in last week’s trial.David Johnson