FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — A Washington County jury has acquitted a man of first-degree murder in the death of his former mother-in-law.
Raymond Douglas looked up at the ceiling and gave a thumbs-up when the verdict was read Wednesday.
Prosecutors accused Douglas of killing Goldie Thornsberry in 1996 when he and his ex-wife, Reta Flowers, lived with her mother in Fayetteville. Thornsberry's remains were found in a Little Rock well in 2000, but her body remained unidentified until 2010.
Flowers pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension or prosecution and testified against Douglas.
Prosecuting attorney John Threet told the Northwest Arkansas Times the case was tough because so much time had passed.
Thornsberry's daughter, Barbie Carnes, yelled at Douglas' sister, saying "Your brother killed my mom!"
Defense attorney Ronald Davis Jr. says Douglas is overwhelmed.
