CLAREMONT, FL – Laurie Shaver, 41, has been found guilty of second-degree murder using a firearm in connection to the death of her husband, Michael Shaver, 36. The jury found the Floridian mom guilty following a five-hour deliberation.
Prosecutors in the case have revealed that Shaver shot her husband in the back of his head at their home in Claremont, near Orlando, in November 2015. Court documents show that she then spent the next three years masquerading as her husband being alive. They also claimed that she assumed Michael’s identity over text messages following his death.
Laurie Shaver maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings. She insisted that Michael was shot by their 7-year-old daughter, who acted in self-defense while he was assaulting her and making death threats. The daughter, who maintained her mother was her “best friend,” corroborated Laurie’s story on the witness stand.
The case also involved allegations against Laurie’s ex-boyfriend, Jeremy Townsend. Shaver claimed that Townsend shot Michael a second time to ensure he was dead and later disposed of his body while she was taking her children to school. However, Townsend refuted these allegations completely, asserting he did not know nor interact with Michael Shaver.
The inconsistency in recollection of events flagged by both Laurie and her daughter were highlighted during cross-examination, notably the daughter placing the shooting in May instead of November.
Despite the guilty verdict, Shaver’s lawyer plans to appeal. She is expected to be sentenced on November 25 and could face a life sentence.