FIRST ON 3: English found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in death of boyfriend

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Brunswick County jury has convicted a 50-year-old woman in the death of her boyfriend.

They found Julie Ann English of voluntary manslaughter in the death Michael Pate. English was charged with hitting and killing Pate with a car in May 2012.

English claimed in court she was a victim of Pate’s abuse for years.

Jurors started deliberating yesterday and delivered their verdict around 5 p.m. today.

The case immediately moved to the sentencing phase, where Pate’s mother and son spoke. A judge sentenced English to between 51 and 74 months in prison.