Siblings convicted of killing man found online

MOUNT CLEMENS (AP) - A young woman and her half brother face life in prison after they were convicted of murder in the death of a Detroit-area man who met her through Craigslist.

Michael Freeland of Sterling Heights was dead in his home following a fire last March. The 57-year-old met 20-year-old Bria Blackmon after placing an ad on Craigslist seeking a woman to have a baby.

Police say Freeland was beaten with a 15-pound weight.

The Macomb Daily says Blackmon and 20-year-old Demonte Easterling were convicted Wednesday of murder committed during another felony as well as other crimes. The evidence included text messages and GPS information from their phones.

Defense attorney Rebekah Coleman says Blackmon got into a fight with Freeland after he pressured her for sex. The jury disagreed.

Published: Fri, Feb 19, 2016