By Nicole June
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The ex-husband of slain soldier Shadow McClaine pleaded guilty to charges related to her murder in court this week.
According to Maj. Martin Meiners, Public Affairs Officer at Fort Campbell, Jamal Williams McCray appeared for a heating in a Fort Campbell courtroom Feb. 27 and pleaded guilty to the following charges in exchange for removal of the capital instruction (death penalty): one charge of premeditated murder; two charges of conspiracy to commit murder; one charge of conspiracy to obstruct justice; one count of solicitation.
The plea was accepted by the court, which then moved into a sentencing phase. The session reconvened Thursday as evidence and arguments were heard.
During the hearing, a military judge heard evidence from the prosecution and defense, to include witness testimony from family members of Williams-McCray, family of Pfc. Shadow McClaine, and medical experts, according to LTC Martin L. O’Donnell, spokesperson for Fort Campbell.
The session reconvenes Friday as evidence and arguments continue to be heard.
McClaine went missing in September 2016 and her remains were found in January 2017 after an extensive search. McCray and Spc. Charles Robinson III were charged with homicide in her death.
Williams-McCray is also charged with sexual assault, aggravated assault, and obstruction of justice.
Robinson pleaded guilty at his court-martial in September 2018. He was sentenced by a judge to life imprisonment without parole, reduction in rank to private, forfeiture of all pay and a dishonorable discharge. However, based upon a pretrial agreement, he will not serve an excess of 25 years. Robinson also received credit for 558 days of pretrial confinement.
Robinson said he was supposed to be paid $10,000 by McClaine’s ex-husband to kill her and help hide the body. Robinson said he used a box cutter and a knife to kill her but Sgt. Jamal Williams-McCray paid him only $200.