By LeAnne Rogers
OBSERVER STAFF WRITER
A Dearborn Heights man will spend the rest of life in prison for murdering a Westland woman who had ended their relationship.
Robert James-the-First Howard, 26, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without chance for parole for killing Laci Green, 22. He was sentenced by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hathaway, who had convicted Howard of first-degree murder last month following a two-day bench trial.
Green was found strangled to death in a grassy field near her parents' home in southwest Westland on May 7, 2008.
During the bench trial, there was testimony from Green's parents, friends and police officers about the events surrounding her death.
Based on their investigation, police testified that they believed Howard had taken a taxi-cab to meet and talk to Green outside her home late at night. Police testified that the investigation indicated Howard was angry with Green for ending their relationship and dating another man.
Green's parents testified that they had encountered Howard outside their home on Dunn Court a few hours before their daughter was found dead.
After rejecting two plea bargains, Howard waived his right to a jury trial and instead opted for a bench trial in which the judge renders the verdict. Following two days of testimony, Hathaway found Howard guilty of first-degree murder, a charge that requires the crime be premeditated, and has a mandatory sentence of life in prison with no chance for parole.
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