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Chiman Rai in court Monday.

Man Sentenced In Daughter-In-Law's Murder

Posted: 4:31 pm EDT June 27, 2008Updated: 6:25 pm EDT June 27, 2008

ATLANTA -- Chiman Rai, the man convicted Thursday of masterminding the death of his daughter-in-law, Sparkle Rai, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 25 years Friday.

Jurors deliberated the fate of the Mississippi businessman born in India who was convicted of plotting to have his black daughter-in-law killed weeks after she wed his son.

Deliberations began shortly after 3 p.m. Friday. A jury convicted Chiman Rai on Thursday of masterminding the death of Sparkle Michelle Rai. Prosecutors were seeking the death penalty.

During trial, prosecutors argued Chiman Rai believed the 22-year-old woman would bring down the family stock.

Sparkle Michelle Rai


Sparkle Rai was found strangled with a vacuum cord and stabbed more than a dozen times weeks after her March 2000 wedding to Rai's son, Ricky Rai.

Jurors reached the verdict on the second day of deliberations, finding the 68-year-old Chiman Rai guilty on seven charges, including felony murder and burglary.

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Copyright 2008 by WSBTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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