Judge orders acquittal in slaying of attorney

LONDON, Ky. - A southern Kentucky judge ordered the acquittal of a woman charged with murder in the shooting death of her husband, a lawyer in London.

Judge Robert McGinnis on Friday concluded that there was insufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to conclude that Lisa Gilliam of Pulaski County killed 59-year-old Larry Gilliam at his law office in downtown London in January 2011.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported (http://bit.ly/Uj8YYg ) that McGinnis issued a directed verdict of acquittal, which is rare in murder cases.

A jury could not reach a decision in the case a month ago.

Larry Gilliam died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

Lisa Gilliam's defense was that her husband killed himself. Testimony at her trial indicated Larry Gilliam had taken money he was supposed to hold for clients.

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Information from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com