CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A Harrison County jury has recommended mercy for the Marion County man who was convicted Wednesday of killing his father-in-law in Baxter on Dec. 11, 2011.
Michael Ian Palmer, 32, of Baxter was found guilty of first degree murder with mercy for the 2011 shooting death of his father-in-law, Everett “Ed” Wilson, 62. Wilson was shot outside of the door to the home where Palmer lived with his wife and Wilson’s daughter, Kristyn.
Prosecutors claimed Palmer hated Wilson and planned the murder, while defense attorneys argued Palmer was protecting himself at the time of the shooting. He was arrested in June 2012.
With mercy, Palmer will receive a life sentence, but will be eligible for parole in 15 years.
The Harrison County jury began its deliberations on Tuesday after hearing two weeks of testimony. The case was moved out of Marion County when a jury could not be seated there.