CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A Harrison County jury convicted an accused murderer of a lesser charge Friday evening following a week long trial.
The 12-member panel found Melissa McAtee, of Lumberport, guilty of voluntary manslaughter, not murder, in the January 2018 shooting death of her longtime partner David Cottrill.
McAtee testified in her own defense Thursday, claiming the shooting was an accident. The defense also claimed McAtee suffered from battered woman syndrome.
The jury deliberated for about three and a half hours Friday evening.
McAtee will face three to 15 years behind bars at sentencing.