Dale Shawnessy O'Neil has been convicted of Kathy Adkins' 2006 murder by a Jackson County jury.

A 12-member panel deliberated for two hours Friday in Ripley before making their decision.

The murder came just hours after O'Neil, who had a long criminal history was released from jail on a technicality.

O'Neil's criminal history includes a conviction for first-degree sexual assault and malicious wounding after cutting a woman's throat and wrists with a knife. He served 18 years in prison for that crime.

Circuit Judge Thomas Evans sentenced O'Neil to life in prison without mercy.