BECKLEY, W.Va. — A Raleigh County man has been convicted of first degree murder and wanton endangerment in connection to the 2013 fatal shooting of his girlfriend’s husband.
A jury found Michael Stines guilty of those charges and recommended no mercy Wednesday in Raleigh County Circuit Court. They deliberated for more than five hours over two days.
Christopher Ward was murdered on April 18, 2013 at his home on Country Club Drive in Beaver. He died from a gunshot wound to the stomach.
Stines’ trial lasted six days.
Prosecutors said Stines intentionally killed Ward and endangered Sharon Ward and their three children. The defense argued that Stines acted in self defense.
Stines faces life in prison without parole.