An Eastern Kentucky man could spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murder of a former Eastern Kentucky sheriff.

A jury found Raymond Harris guilty of killing Paul Browning Junior and Wednesday, they had to decide on his punishment.

The jury had the option of giving Raymond Harris anything from twenty years in prison all the way up to the death penalty. Before they made that decision, they heard from the widow of Former Harlan County Sheriff Paul Browning Junior.

"We spent so much of our time dreaming about all we were gonna be in our later lives," Jayne Browning said.

But those dreams would never become reality after Paul Browning Junior was shot to death in Bell County in March of 2002. His body was found in his burnt pick-up truck.

An emotional Jayne Browning talked about her and Paul's love for their grandson.

"Our grandson doesn't have a grandfather and they were so close," she said.

Raymond Harris' attorney maintained his defense, that he was the scapegoat for two other men who've admitted to roles in the murder.

"Tricking him into doing things that were probably out of character for him. They were seducers, they seduced Raymond too," said Defense Attorney Marcus Jones.

Members of Harris family testified hoping the jury would have mercy.

"When our mother died and I was 14, he took me and James in and helped raise us," said Harris' brother, Darryl Harris.

"He don't deserve it. I think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Harris' great-niece, Rachel Harris.

The jury decided to recommended Raymond Harris serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.

"This is an appropriately serious penalty that will ensure that Raymond Harris will never be free again," said Bell County Commonwealth's Attorney Karen Blondell.

We talked with Raymond Harris' former wife who testified in the trial. Off camera she said that she still believes he's not responsible for the murder.

The judge will have to approve the jury's recommended sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for May 5th.