Laurie Shaver verdict: Florida woman guilty of second-degree murder in husband's death

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida jury deliberated for nearly four hours before reaching a verdict in the trial of Laurie Shaver, the woman accused of killing her husband and burying him beneath a fire pit and concrete slab in her backyard. 

The 6-person jury found Shaver guilty of second-degree murder and not guilty of accessory after the fact.

After the verdict was read, Shaver appeared to turn her head to the right and take a deep breath. Moments later, she was placed in handcuffs to be booked into the Florida Department of Corrections.

The jury had several possible charges against Shaver, including second-degree murder, third-degree murder, manslaughter, accessory after the fact, or not guilty on any or all of the counts.

Shaver's sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 25 at 9 a.m.

Defense attorney Jeffrey Wiggs told reporters outside the courthouse following the verdict that he plans to appeal the verdict. 

It was a trial full of accusations, blame, finger-pointing, and alleged lies on both sides, according to the prosecution and defense. 

During trial this week, Laurie Shaver's daughter testified that she shot Michael – not Laurie – and that her mom's new boyfriend, Jeremy, also shot Michael.

According to court records, Michael was shot one time in the back of the head. He was reported missing in 2015 and his body was found buried beneath a fire pit and concrete slab in 2018 in the backyard of the home they shared.

"When you look at this story, it makes no sense because it is not true," said Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Camuccio in his closing arguments.

"Everything points to Laurie Shaver," he said.

The defense said in its closing arguments that finger-pointing is not enough.

"Laurie Shaver is not on trial for lying," said Defense attorney Jeffrey Wiggs.

"Has any witness…established Laurie Leigh Shaver killed Michael Shaver? Zero.," he said.

Shaver testified in her own defense on Thursday for nearly two hours. Shaver alleged that at the crux of their relationship, Michael was mad that she became pregnant – and that the two fought before he was shot and killed.

Another surprise during trial, Shaver's daughter testified under oath that she – not Laurie – shot her father, Michael, because he allegedly attacked Laurie and threatened to kill her. She would have been around 7 at the time.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office first began an investigation after a friend of Michael Shaver asked deputies to do a well-being check on him in February 2018. He told them he had not heard from Michael since the latter part of 2015.

PREVIOUS TRIAL COVERAGE

• Laurie Shaver trial: Opening statements begin in trial of woman accused of shooting husband
• Laurie Shaver trial: Witness testimony presented in second day of trial for woman accused of shooting husband
• Laurie Shaver trial: Jurors hear of alleged affairs, suggested deceit by woman accused of killing husband
• Laurie Shaver, woman accused of killing, burying husband, testifies in murder trial: 'I loved Michael'

Michael's skeletal remains were found the following month buried three feet beneath a fire pit and concrete slab, according to a probable cause statement. Officials determined that Michael had been shot one time in the back of the head.

During the trial, prosecutors alleged Laurie pretended to be her husband for months after his death – communicating with friends, family, his boss, and colleagues via text messages and Facebook messages.

She reportedly told friends that Michael left the family and moved to Georgia and other states, which, according to family and the arrest report, seemed out of character for him.