Man convicted of murder in '88 death of woman in Pontiac

PONTIAC (AP) — An ex-convict has been found guilty of murder nearly three decades after an 88-year-old widow was found dead in her suburban Detroit home.

Billy Joe Bennett was charged last year after investigators linked the 55-year-old to DNA evidence. The Oakland Press of Pontiac reports an Oakland County Circuit Court jury convicted him last Friday of felony murder.

Investigators say they believe Elnora Barrager died of a heart attack in 1988 as a result of being raped after a break-in at her Pontiac home.

Bennett testified at trial that he didn’t hurt her. Defense lawyer Richard Taylor argued that details of the case didn’t add up.

Prosecutors say Bennett targeted Barrager because he had known her previously. Witnesses testified that he did yard and house work for her.