Man cleared of murder of woman found in ditch

10/9/2009

MONROE — A jury in Monroe County Circuit Court has acquitted a Dearborn Heights, Mich., man of murder in the beating death of a woman who was found last April in a ditch near Newport, Mich.

John James, 42, was found not guilty Wednesday of second degree murder in the homicide of Jamie Lynn Woolbright, 30.

The jury deliberated about two hours before returning the not guilty verdict.

Prosecutors said Ms. Woolbright, of Detroit, died from blunt force trauma to the head. She was found April 11.