Leo Laurent convicted in wife's slaying - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Leo Laurent convicted in wife's slaying

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HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - A Hancock County man has been convicted of murder in the 2007 death of his wife.

A Forrest County jury convicted Leo Laurent on Wednesday.

Laurent was sentenced to life in prison.

The trial had been moved from Hancock County to Forrest County because of news media coverage.

The trial began Monday.

Prosecutors wrapped up their case earlier Wednesday and the defense called no witnesses.

Defense attorneys have called Laurent's wife's death an accident.

Prosecutors said Brandi Hawkins Laurent was killed at the couple's rural Hancock County home on August 3rd, 2007.

Her body was discovered 100 days later in a shallow grave about a half-mile from the couple's home.

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