Barry Van WhittonSCOTTSBORO, Ala. - The man convicted in September of the 1997 Jackson County slaying of his first wife was sentenced to life behind bars following a sentencing hearing before Circuit Court Judge John Graham this afternoon.
Barry Van Whitton, 46, formerly of Section, Ala., showed no reaction as a letter was read to the court that had been submitted by Joyce Smart, murder victim Michelle Whitton's mother.
Whitton, dressed in a tan Jackson County Jail jump suit, told Judge Graham he had nothing to say.
Whitton was convicted Sept. 25 after nearly two weeks of jury selection and testimony. The jury deliberated about two hours before finding Whitton guilty.
The 17-year-old cold case was prosecuted by Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange's office.
Whitton was convicted in the 1997 slaying of his first wife, Michelle Townson Whitton, 28 at the time she died. Her body was found just inside neighboring DeKalb County in a shallow grave on a creek bank, covered with rocks and debris.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.
Earlier report: