Michigan woman convicted of killing ex-boyfriend

Grand Haven — A 40-year-old Michigan woman who authorities say wanted to collect $1.5 million in life insurance has been found guilty of killing her ex-boyfriend by having a hit man bludgeon him to death.

A jury deliberated for about six hours before convicting Maryann Castorena on Thursday of first-degree murder, solicitation of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and providing false information to an officer. Castorena conspired with co-defendant Anthony Delagarza to kill Jose Patricio Hernandez of Holland in January.

Delagarza pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for testifying against Castorena. He has an opportunity for parole with Delagarza will be sentenced to a mandatory life prison term.

Delagarza says Castorena wrote a checklist to outline the killing of Hernandez, which authorities obtained.