Monday, June 13, 2011

Oxford, NC: Granville County man pleads guilty in wife's slaying

A Granville County man accused of killing his wife and setting their home on fire in September 2008 avoided a potential death sentence when he pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder.



William Scott Morris was arrested Nov. 16, 2009, on charges of first-degree murder and fraudulently burning a dwelling, in connection with the death of his wife, Kelly Morris, 28.

Kelly Morris was last seen Sept. 3, 2008. The following day, the house she shared with her family, at 3220 Tump Wilkins Road in Stem, caught fire. Hours later, investigators found her car about a mile from her home with her keys, purse and cell phone inside.

Her skeletal remains were found Nov. 16, 2009, in the Tar River Fox Pen in southern Granville County, her family has said.

An autopsy couldn't determine how Kelly Morris died but the state medical examiner concluded that she "most likely" was killed.

Authorities have not offered a motive for the slaying, but in search warrant affidavits related to the case, investigators allege that the couple had marital problems and were considering divorce.

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