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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A grand jury indicted a man accused of killing his wife's teenage lover on a murder charge, but not the first-degree count prosecutors had sought, according to court documents released Thursday.
The second-degree murder count against Eric McLean carries a 25-year maximum sentence, instead of the life term the higher-level charge carries. The Knox County grand jury reached the decision May 2 after hearing from several witnesses, including McLean's wife.
"Needless to say I am just thrilled as I can be," defense attorney Bruce Poston said. "This is a major, major positive step for Eric McLean. When you take first (-degree murder) off the table, it changes the whole trial strategy."
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