Judge Won't Toss Murder Verdict For 'Comic Book Killer'
MOUNT CLEMENS (WWJ/AP) - A judge has denied a request by a former comics shop owner convicted twice of the 1990 Detroit-area murder of his wife for an acquittal and new trial.
Macomb County Circuit Judge Mary Chrzanowski on Wednesday issued a written opinion following the request from Michael George's lawyer Carl Marlinga.
George, the so-called "comic book killer," was sentenced to life in prison last November. The defense claimed weak evidence and improper tactics at trial. An appeal is planned.
Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor William Cataldo, however, says the ruling "closes the last chapter on Michael George."
George has maintained his innocence in Barbara George's shooting death at their Clinton Township shop, Comics World.
George was charged with first and second-degree murder, firearm offenses, insurance fraud and false pretenses on claims he shot his wife Barbara in the head in the back room of their comic shop. George later cashed in on her life insurance policies and married his mistress, who is now his wife.
The case made national headlines after a judge set aside a 2008 guilty verdict after finding errors by prosecutors and potential new evidence. George was convicted for the second time in October, following a month-long trial with 36 prosecution witnesses and eight defense witnesses.
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