Man gets life in prison in slaying, dismemberment

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — A man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a woman, then dismembering her and leaving her hands and feet at the house of a another woman to get her to pay $10,000 in blackmail.

A Greenville County jury found 28-year-old Clarence Jenkins guilty of murder and kidnapping Friday before a judge handed down the maximum punishment.

Authorities say Jenkins and his 24-year-old wife Carmen lured 34-year-old Mekole Harris into their home nearly three years ago. Prosecutors say Jenkins posed as a police officer, handcuffed Harris to a chair, put a trash bag over her head and choked her to death.

Carmen Jenkins pleaded guilty to murder last month and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. She testified against her husband hoping to have that sentence reduced.