BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) -- A man has been found guilty of first-degree murder for killing his mother-in-law with an aluminum baseball bat at a Battle Creek home last year.
A Calhoun County Circuit Court jury on Friday convicted Howard McDonald in the slaying of 69-year-old Joan Roush.
The 50-year-old defendant also was found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon and first-degree home invasion.
McDonald is to be sentenced Oct. 19. Prosecutor Susan Mladenoff says the murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence without parole.
Defense attorney Mike Lind had hoped the jury would consider a lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter.
According to the Battle Creek Enquirer (http://bcene.ws/P8NozQ ), Roush's husband, Robert Roush, says he's "relieved that justice has been done," but noted it would not bring back his "sweetheart."