Jury Recommends Death For Man Convicted Of Killing Wife At Park

Tuesday, June 27th 2006, 5:33 am

By: News On 6

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) A jury recommends a death sentence for a north Florida man who was convicted of gunning down his wife on a beach, then making up a story about a botched robbery.

The jury deliberated 30 hours before finding 34-year-old Justin Barber guilty on Saturday of first-degree murder for killing his wife, 27-year-old April Barber, at a Florida state park in August 2002.

Jurors spent an hour Monday before reaching an 8-to-4 death recommendation.

April Barber grew up in Hennessey, Oklahoma, while Justin Barber grew up in Wetumka, Oklahoma.

Circuit Judge Edward E. Hedstrom did not immediately set a sentencing hearing. He will make the final decision on Barber's fate.

Barber told deputies he and his wife were shot during a late-night robbery on the beach.

Prosecutors said Barber killed his wife to collect on a life insurance policy worth more than $2.1 million. They said Barber was facing mounting debt and his wife's allegations of infidelity.