Distribution of life insurance proceeds after convicted murderess acquitted on retrial

Elicia Hughes was accused of murdering her husband (Brian) who was found shot to death on June 3, 2004.  The alleged motive for the murder was because of his marital infidelity as well as to collect life insurance proceeds.

Elicia was convicted in January 2007 and sentenced to life in prison.  The conviction was overturned because the judge concluded that prosecutors improperly used “the race card” when selecting the jury.  Elicia was acquitted in the retrial.

During this process, the fate of hundreds of thousands of dollars of life insurance proceeds hung in the balance.  With regard to a $250,000 policy from Primerica Insurance, the proceeds were paid directly to her because Elicia was not a suspect at the time of payment.  $50,000 of a MetLife policy will go to Elicia’s attorneys to defray her legal expenses with the rest passing into Brian’s estate.

In the style of the O.J. Simpson situation, Brian’s family have filed a civil wrongful death case against Elicia and have also sued Primerica claiming that the company should not have paid the proceeds to Elicia.

See Jimmie E. Gates, Lawyer who won widow’s acquittal will reap $50,000, Clarion Ledger, Sept. 28, 2008.