Maine

Jurors Deliberating in Case of Murder, Record-Long Manhunt

Jurors are deliberating in the case of a Maine man charged with killing his ex-girlfriend before leading police on the longest manhunt in state history in 2015.

Closing arguments were delivered Wednesday morning in Bangor in the case of 40-year-old Robert Burton. 

Burton turned himself in after 68 days on the lam. State police spokesman Stephen McCausland said the estimated cost of the manhunt was around $500,000.

Defense lawyers say Burton shot 37-year-old Stephanie "Ginn" Gebo in self-defense at her home with her gun after she shot him in the shoulder in June 2015.

Prosecutors maintain Burton acted out of jealousy. 

Burton testified he never intended for anyone to be shot. He even went so far as to use a fake gun and mattress to demonstrate to jurors how the struggle went down. 

Gebo's body was found on June 5 by her daughter who, along with a younger brother, had been asleep upstairs.

Gebo's family has no doubt Burton killed her in a fit of jealous rage, but they're waiting to see if a jury agrees.

Gebo's father, Vance Gebo, is hoping his daughter's death will result in changes for other victims of domestic violence.

"We're never going to stop domestic violence, but we have means to slow it down," he said Wednesday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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