NC: Raleigh man shouldn't get new trial for ex's death
The state of North Carolina on Monday filed its response to a Raleigh man's claims that he did not receive a fair trial for the death of his ex-girlfriend more than three years ago.
Posted — UpdatedGrant Ruffin Hayes, 35, was convicted Sept. 16, 2013, of first-degree murder in the July 13, 2011, death of Laura Jean Ackerson, whose dismembered remains were found in Texas several days after she was reported missing.
Wake County prosecutors argued last year that Hayes lured Ackerson – the mother of two of his children – to his Raleigh apartment, killed her and then tried to cover up the crime by cutting up Ackerson and dumping her body in a creek across the street from the home of his wife's sister.
Hayes has denied killing Ackerson, saying that he helped cover up her death to protect his wife, Amanda Hayes, who he claims killed Ackerson during an argument.
At her trial earlier this year, however, Amanda Hayes told jurors that she only helped cover up the crime because Grant Hayes threatened her.
She was convicted of second-degree murder and is serving 13 to 16 years in prison.
The couple has since divorced.
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.