A Merrimack County Superior Court jury convicted James Earl Rand of robbing a Cumberland Farms store clerk in Concord at knife point just days after he was mistakenly released from state prison last spring.

Jurors deliberated about 90 minutes before finding Rand, 45, guilty of robbery and attempted theft - both felonies - and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest, false report and false swearing. The trial lasted two days.

Assistant Merrimack County Attorney Wayne P. Coull said Rand faces 71/2 to 15 years in state prison on each of the felony convictions and a maximum one year in the house of correction on each of the misdemeanors. Sentencing will be held at a later date.

Rand was mistakenly paroled from state prison last March instead of being released to Merrimack County jail where he was to be held pending sentencing on several theft offenses.

Two days after his release from prison, Rand is accused of mugging a Manchester mother outside the Walmart in Concord on April 1, then holding up a Cumberland Farms clerk at knife point 20 minutes later.

He also is charged with stealing checks from a Concord construction company last March 31.

Rand next stands trial in March on the Walmart robbery charge.

kmarchocki@unionleader.com