Bladen County man convicted of first degree murder gets life in prison

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Bladen County man is facing life in prison for killing his estranged girlfriend in 2022.

Lawrence Thomas, 73, was convicted by a Columbus County jury of first degree murder on Friday.

Prosecutors said Thomas shot and killed Hazel Leach inside a Whiteville home on February 21, 2022.

A judge sentenced Thomas to life in prison without the possibility of parole.