Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 | 8:52 a.m.
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A jury late Monday found Clifford McClain, 29, guilty of first degree murder in the death of his ex-wife in Las Vegas last year.
He was also found guilty on two counts of domestic violence battery and is facing a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life without parole, said Clark County District Attorney Phillip Smith.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. — four hours after it left the courtroom — the 12-member jury returned and delivered its verdict before a Clark County District Court courtroom that was somber and quiet, Smith said.
Clifford McClain was charged with murder in the death of his ex-wife, 24-year-old Allainna McClain, whose body was found at a home in Northwest Las Vegas on Feb. 17, 2008.
She was found in the garage by her mother-in-law and the Clark County Coroner ruled the death a homicide due to asphyxiation.
Prosecutors said throughout the two-week-long trial that Clifford McClain struck his ex-wife in the head with a wooden cane and then strangled her.
Clifford McClain testified on Fridaythat he was acting in self-defense and tried to prevent Allainna McClain from grabbing a knife during a heated argument.
Their feet became tangled, he said, and as the couple fell down, Allainna McClain's head struck a parked car and then the floor, he said.
The sentencing phase of the trial begins today.
Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or [email protected].
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