By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorIt took less than five hours for a Warren County jury to convict a Mexico, Mo., man of murder in the shooting death of his wife.Ricky Harding Jr., 35, was found guilty Friday of second-degree murder, second-degree domestic assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and four counts of child endangerment. Another felony charge for armed criminal action was dismissed.The jury deliberated for a short period prior to returning the verdict at the conclusion of the five-day trial. The trial was held in Warrenton after a change of venue was granted. Judge Keith Sutherland presided over the trial.Harding will be sentenced Feb. 4, 2016. He had pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.His wife, 34-year-old Summer Hickman Harding, was shot May 25, 2014, at their rural Audrain County home as the couple wrestled over a Colt .45 pistol during an argument. She was pronounced dead after being taken to SSM St. Mary’s Hospital-Audrain.After the shooting, authorities said Harding drug his wife’s body to a garage, where she was found in a pool of blood. Harding fled the scene without calling for help, police reported. He left four children, ranging in age from 6 to 12, alone in the residence.Harding claimed his wife accidentally shot herself.Prior to the start of closing arguments Friday, Harding shouted out in the courtroom that he was innocent. He also staged a minor outburst when prosecutors said Harding’s oldest daughter was scared to testify in front of him.Harding did not react when the verdict was read.According to online court records, Harding has several prior felony convictions for burglary, stealing and drug possession. Those charges banned him from possessing firearms. He also has been convicted of domestic violence.Ricky Harding