BAY MINETTE, Ala. — A Baldwin County jury deliberated 30 minutes Thursday before entering a guilty verdict for capital murder suspect James Morgan Dorriety, who killed his mother-in-law with a high-power rifle Aug. 3, 2008, then flagged a ride to a convenience store to turn himself in.

Dorriety, 37, of Lottie, pleaded guilty early Monday to fatally shooting Kathy Lee Allison, in exchange for taking execution off the table, according to defense attorney Jim Scroggins. He will serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Scroggins said the victim’s family agreed with the plea agreement.

“I am satisfied,” Scroggins said Friday. “Until 10 days ago, the state wanted to execute him. If you can keep a client alive, that is what we wanted to do.”

Despite Dorriety’s plea, state law requires a jury to hear evidence and produce a verdict.

Dorriety immediately turned himself in and admitted shooting Allison. Later that day, Dorriety agreed to a one-hour, taped interview at Baldwin County Corrections Center in which he detailed the murder.