A Kaufman County jury handed down a life sentence to a Crandall man for the shooting death of his uncle.  Lewis Ray Hart was found guilty of murder Thursday afternoon and on Friday afternoon jurors deliberated less than an hour before sentencing him to life in prison.

Hart was found guilty of killing his uncle, Larry King, with a 30-06 rifle sometime after 10:00 pm on August 18, 2007.  The murder occurred north of Crandall, on Griffin Lane off of FM 741.   Kaufman County Sheriff’s deputies originally found the body of Larry King in the road, with a single rifle shot to the stomach.  Hart was not developed as a suspect until weeks later when a relative tape recorded a conversation with Hart and he admitted to committing the murder.  Hart was later brought in and confessed to the killing, saying he was angry over an incident involving Mr. King and the defendant’s brother.  It was also discovered that Hart had made threats to kill Mr. King earlier on the day of August 18.

Jurors rejected the defense argument of self-defense and sudden passion.  Lead prosecutor Cameron Cowan argued that it was a pre-meditated killing and Hart deserved a maximum sentence.

“Lewis Hart is a violent, dangerous man who executed a member of his own family.  The jury saw through his claims of self-defense and sent a strong message to our community that this kind of crime won’t be tolerated in Kaufman County,” Cowan said.

Hart, 41, must serve 30 years in prison before he can be considered for possible parole.