Former teacher found guilty of murder

2009-10-16 18:08:51 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Law, News)

Former Jackson, Mississippi school teacher Carla Hughes has been found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Carla Hughes was found guilty Wednesday in the murder of her former boyfriend’s lover and unborn child.

Jackson, Mississippi (WiredPRNews.com) - Carla Hughes, a 28-year-old former middle school teacher in Jackson, Mississippi, was found guilty of capitol murder Wednesday and sentenced to life in prison. Hughes was charged with killing 27-year-old Avis Banks and her unborn child in 2006. Banks, who was five months pregnant, was shot 4 times and then stabbed.

Prosecutor Michael Guest alleged that Hughes killed Banks in order to be with her fiancé, Keyon Pittman, who refused to leave Banks, whom he was sharing a home with at the time of the murder. Hughes was previously an honor student and described throughout the trial as having a kind nature, which left many in disbelief that she would commit such a heinous crime. The accomplished Hughes had been on the Dean’s list, won numerous awards and contests, and was known to many in her community as a humanitarian. One witness who took the stand described her as a peacemaker.

The parents of the slain woman, Frederick and Debra Banks, reached out and hugged the mother of Carla Hughes after the sentence was handed down. Both say they have no animosity toward Hughes or her family and are satisfied with the sentence. Hughes is not eligible for parole and is set to spend the rest of her life in prison.

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