A guilty verdict is returned in the West Plains murder trial of Lance Shockley, who was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Carl Dewayne Graham four years ago.

The prosecution had claimed Shockley ambushed Graham while the Sergeant was in his driveway. Graham had investigated a fatal traffic crash in which Shockley reportedly was involved and fled.

The trial has entered the sentencing phase.