Man, 68, found guilty of killing wife

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Michael Morris

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A jury found a 68-year-old man guilty as charged Thursday evening in the first- degree murder of his wife.

This was the second trial for Michael Morris. In September, his trial ended with a hung jury.

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Evidence showed that in March 2012, Morris and his wife, 55-year-old Barbara Morris, had an argument, which escalated after the couple had several drinks. The argument turned violent after Barbara threw Michael's camera in the toilet.

Barbara attempted to escape her husband by running outside and screaming for help. Michael then dragged her back inside the home and continued to beat her.

When Michael could not silence his wife's screams for help, he pulled out a handgun from his pocket and shot her seven times in the head and upper body.

A Jacksonville Beach police officer who lived across the street was outside when he heard Barbara's screams for help and then the gunshots. As he approached the Morris home, Michael came outside and told the officer that he "could not take it any more" and he shot his wife.

Barbara died at the scene.

Michael Morris faces a mandatory sentence of life in Florida State Prison. He will be sentenced the week of April 21.