In spite of the change of venue, there was still no change ofverdict in the re-trial of Michael Leggett in the 2006 beatingdeath of Jewel Duane Douglas.

After four long days of trial at the Forrest County Courthouse,the 33-year-old Leggett was found guilty Friday of beating Douglasto death with a tire tool on Oct. 11, 2006.

After cross-examination of the defense’s expert witness andclosing arguments took place earlier in the day, 12 jurors fromForrest County deliberated for four and a half hours and offered upthe guilty verdict Friday around 9 p.m.

Leggett was sentenced as a habitual criminal, meaning that hewill serve life in prison with no hope for parole. But DistrictAttorney Dee Bates said the conclusion of the trial has done morethan just put a murderer behind bars for life.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, especially for theDouglas family,” Bates said. “We’ve come back to another guiltyverdict for murder. And while we’re happy for the DA’s office, thereal justice is for the family that had to go through allthis.”

Defense Attorney Joe Fernald said he and co-counsel Jason Tatebelieved the trial was fair and well conducted by all involved.

“The judge did everything he could to protect the record andmake sure the trial was done properly,” he said. “The court dideverything they could to make sure that both sides were treatedfairly.”

There were some tense moments for the prosecution during thecase, said Assistant District Attorney Brendon Adams, adding thatthe defense was extremely well-prepared.

“Joe Fernald and Jason Tate put on a good defense, they did aphenomenal job,” he said. “I think they did an outstanding job ofgiving Michael Leggett what he was entitled to, and that’s a fairtrial.”

Fernald said while no defense lawyer ever likes to lose, thejury has spoken. He said both sides attacked the case aggressively,and the choice had to be a tough one for the jury.

“The matter’s been tried twice. I would never presume to figureout an analysis of what a jury is going to do,” he said. “Each juryis different – each one is a living organism. It’s the best systemin the world.”

And while the case only went on for four days for theHattiesburg jury, Assistant District Attorney Diane Jones pointedout that it was a two and a half year ordeal for the family.

“I could not be more pleased with this conviction, primarilybecause the Douglas family has suffered unbelievably since thenight of Oct. 11, 2006,” she said. “I sincerely hope that thisverdict will help the Douglases in their long struggle to cope withthe abrupt and horrifying loss of their beloved Duane. Justice hastruly been served.”

Joey Douglas, Douglas’ older brother, said the family believesjustice has indeed finally been served.

“I closed my ears when they came out with the verdict,” JoeyDouglas said. “I cried. It was like I was walking on the air, justsitting there on the air. It was a wonderful feeling.”

And now it’s time to work toward forgiveness, he said.

“In my prayers I have prayed for him, I really have,” he said ofLeggett. “I hope the Lord forgives him. I feel sorry for him inthat way, in the religion way, but as far as me being mad at himfor killing my little brother, I’ll never forget it.”

Leggett was first convicted of the crime in a trial in LincolnCounty in February 2008, but the conviction was thrown out afterJudge Mike Taylor deemed an alleged secret deal between theprosecution and a witness to be prosecutorial misconduct. The statevehemently denies a deal ever occurred.

Due to the publicity on the first trial and the ensuing events,the defense was granted a change of venue in the case.