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Man Convicted In Slaying Of Ex-Trooper, Wife

CHARLOTTE, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A man who authorities say created a fake job to gain work release from jail and then killed a former Michigan state trooper and his wife has been convicted of murder and gun charges.

The jury in Eaton County Circuit Court returned the verdict in the case against 39-year-old Christopher Perrien earlier this week. He'll get life in prison without parole when sentenced May 9.

Sixty-two-year-old Michael Greene and 46-year-old Terri Greene were shot Sept. 22, 2011 at their Delta Township home.

Court records say Perrien told a judge he worked for a nonexistent company to gain release from the Eaton County jail.  Based on the false claim, Perrien was allowed to be released from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Officials say Perrien was out of jail the afternoon of Sept. 22, and GPS data allegedly placed him at the crime scene.

After the murders, investigators Perrien was using Michael Greene's credit cards and mobile phone. Reports say he spent than $600 in just over six hours after killing the Greenes. Perrien then reported back to the jail that evening, authorities said.

Investigators say Perrien also took stolen items from the Greene household to his storage unit, including Terri's driver's license and Michael's Michigan State Police badges. They say he took Terri Greene's wedding ring and sold it at a pawn shop the day after her murder.

Perrien was sentenced in September to 20-30 years' imprisonment in a separate home invasion.

TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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