WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Carla Hughes gets a life sentence
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CANTON, MS (WLBT) - Carla Hughes will serve a life sentence without parole. A Madison County jury returned that decision today after deliberating for less than an hour.
Tuesday, the jury found her guilty on two counts of capital murder, for the 2006 murder of her lovers fiance, Avis Banks.
Prosecutors were seeking the death penalty for Hughes.
They only called one witness, state pathologist, Dr. Stephen Hayne.
He testified about the brutal death Avis Banks and her unborn child suffered.
Hughes cried throughout opening statements, but remained expressionless while Hayne explained in detail, how Banks and her baby finally died.
Defense attorneys began calling witnesses before lunch, among them Hughes aunt Linda Hughes, who raised her since birth.
Hughes described Carla as the perfect child, who later on earned two masters degrees, and a P.H.D..
She asked jurors to spare Carla's life, for all the good things she had done, and people she helped as a teacher.
She also said Keon Pittman, who was engaged to Banks, and dating Hughes on the side, was obsessed with her daughter, constantly calling her on the phone.
Some jurors were seen crying while she gave her testimony.
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