Michigan accountant convicted of 2nd-degree murder

CENTREVILLE, Mich. - A southwestern Michigan certified public accountant has been convicted of second-degree murder in the slaying of a prominent 70-year-old colleague.

The Kalamazoo Gazette and WLKM-FM report the jury returned the verdict Monday in St. Joseph County Circuit Court for 37-year-old Andy Brown.

Prosecutors had sought a conviction for first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence without parole. Brown could face up to life in prison on the second-degree murder conviction at his sentencing, which is scheduled for Aug. 29.

David Locey was found shot to death Oct. 2 in his accounting office in Sherman Township, near Sturgis. Prosecutors said Locey had confronted Brown over embezzlement allegations.

Defense lawyer Michael Hills has said that his client was cooperative with police, repeatedly denying that he killed Locey.