Topeka ? A man has been convicted of shooting a restaurant manager during a botched holdup that occurred as a group of elementary school students toured the kitchen.

Jurors deliberated nearly two hours Thursday before finding Maurice Franklin Jr., 30, of Neodesha, guilty of attempted second-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.

The January 2002 shooting left Bob Fraser, manager of Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe, paralyzed from the chest down.

Franklin’s brother, James “Biggie” Griffin, 32, of Topeka, was sentenced in February to 24 years and eight months in prison for his role as the getaway driver.

“I’m pleased that justice prevailed and that the two men involved will now spend a long, long time in jail, where they should be, where they can’t hurt people any more,” said Fraser, who is still a part owner of the Topeka restaurant.

Franklin, who testified that he was working as a dishwasher at an Independence restaurant at the time of the shooting, will be sentenced Dec. 15.

The 28 first-graders and their parents heard the shooting. A parent said it happened about 15 feet from the kitchen where the tour was being given.