Man from St. Clair Co. guilty of murdering a woman in 1980

On By Yukito

A Fort Gratiot County man was found guilty Thursday of murdering a woman found in a St. County game land in 1980. Claire.

Court records show Douglas Laming, 71, was sentenced in St. County Circuit Court. Clair in Port Huron for first-degree murder.

Sheriff Mat King said in a statement Thursday that he was “extremely pleased that the jury returned a guilty verdict of first-degree murder.”

He also said he would hold a news conference with the St. County Attorney’s Office on Friday. Clair and the victim’s family to discuss the trial and details of the case.

Laming’s attorney from the court-appointed district public defender’s office could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.

Court records show Laming’s sentencing is scheduled for November 18.

He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole for murder.

Authorities charged Laming last year with the 1980 murder of Karen Umphrey. Police said the 21-year-old’s body was found on November 2, 1980, at the State Game Area in Beards Hills.

Investigators said advances in DNA testing and its availability gave them a breakthrough in the case.

In February, prosecutors charged the second man in Umphrey’s murder, 63-year-old Anthony Harris of Port Huron.

Court records show he was charged with open murder, criminal mischief and second-degree murder.

Last week, Harris pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 12, court records show. He faces life imprisonment.

Harris’ attorney could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.

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@CharlesERamirez