After sitting through eight-weeks of evidence and testimony, a twelve-person jury in North Carolina has found Brad Cooper guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, former Albertan, Nancy Cooper.
After eight weeks of evidence and testimony, the jury took three days to find Cooper guilty.
"An order that the defendant be sentenced to life a term of life in prison without parole in the North Carolina Department of Corrections," said Superior Court Judge Paul Gessner.
Cooper showed little emotion as the judge read the verdict, while the victim's family was in tears, embracing one another.
"I just felt her presence and I was happy that this day finally came," said the victim's mother, Donna Rentz.
Former Edmontonian Nancy Cooper disappeared in June of 2008. Her husband said she went out for a jog and never returned. Her body was found partially unclothed in a subdivision in Cary, North Carolina, less than three miles from the couple's home.
The state's case against Cooper focused on his infidelity and the couple's impending split. His actions fuelled by money he would have to pay to support her and their two daughters if she moved back to Canada.
The defence says police focused on Cooper too early and based their hunch on the fact that many of the victim's friends disliked him.
The victim's family has waited nearly three years for this day. The family says her young daughters still ask about their mom.
"I've always wanted to know why," said the victim's sister, Krista Lister, who has custody of the couple's children.
Cooper was given the opportunity to speak in court, but he chose not to.
Cooper's lawyer has hinted at an appeal. A Google map on Cooper's computer that showed the site of where the victim's body was found may have been the state's strongest evidence. The defence was never able to call their computer expert.
His lawyer says he welcomes the opportunity to bring that evidence to a jury.
With files from David Ewasuk, WTVD-TV and Associated Press
