ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- A jury of nine military officers deliberated less than two hours Friday before finding Air Force Staff Sgt. Karey Weeks innocent of first-degree murder in the 1987 death of his wife.
The verdict ended a two-week military court-martial, but Weeks, 29, still could be tried in civilian court on the same charge.
Lawrence County State's Attorney Jeff Bloomberg said he would meet next week with law enforcement officials involved in the two-year investigation to determine if the case would be pursued.
Karen Weeks, 28, was found dead in October 1987 in a bathtub at a Spearfish, S.D., motel.
Weeks was arrested more than a year after the death and charged with murdering his wife by giving her a drug overdose, drowning her or a combination of both.
Dr. Robert Ackerson, who performed the autopsy on Weeks' body, testified during the trial the death had signs consistent with suicide, homicide or an accident.
In closing arguments, Capt. William Holley told jurors there was insufficient evidence to prove murder in the case.
'Questions remain,' Holley said. 'Questions are unanswered.'
The prosecution, led by Maj. Brenda Hollis, painted the jury a picture of a lover's triangle.
Hollis told jurors Weeks had a 'well thought-out murder plan' after his lover, Kerry Fields, 19, told him to leave his wife or she would end their relationship.
