Man sentenced to life in 2006 mid-Michigan slaying

A man convicted of murder in the 2006 death of an 80-year-old woman in the small mid-Michigan community of Hubbardston has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Justin Stephens was sentenced Tuesday in a courtroom in Ionia. A jury in May found the 21-year-old guilty of first-degree murder, felony murder and second-degree home invasion in the death of Bernita Cunningham. Stephens' defense lawyer had raised questions about the work of investigators during the trial.

AP Wire

Jul 27, 2011

Authorities initially believed Cunningham died of accidental injuries after falling from a ladder, but later exhumed her body and ruled the death a homicide.

Stephens moved to Texas shortly Cunningham’s death and was arrested last fall.