TAVARES, Fla. (Court TV) — A Florida woman is on trial for the death of her estranged husband, whose body was found buried in their backyard.
Laurie Shaver is accused of fatally shooting Michael Shaver in Nov. 2015, burying him in the backyard of their Clermont home and then impersonating him in texts and Facebook messages to create the impression he was still alive.
Laurie Shaver leaves court following a motions hearing Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (Court TV)
Michael’s body was found in March 2018, three feet below ground under a concrete slab and firepit that Laurie installed in the backyard two years prior, according to a law enforcement affidavit.
Laurie was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and accessory after the fact in Sept. 2020. She was out on bond while awaiting trial.
During pretrial proceedings, Laurie’s defense claimed her daughter, who was eight years old at the time, pulled the trigger and killed her father during a violent episode to protect her mother.
The Shavers were living together but dating other people when Michael went missing. Laurie’s defense wanted to present evidence that Michael allegedly subjected Laurie to years of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Laurie’s defense claimed in court documents that their two children witnessed much of the physical abuse, including an alleged incident on the day Michael was last seen alive that led their daughter to kill her father.
In their opening statement, Laurie’s defense presented another theory that pointed blame away from Laurie and her daughter. Defense attorney Jeffrey Wiggs suggested that during the argument that led to Michael’s death, Laurie’s lover took the gun from her daughter, shot Michael and buried his body.
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 3 – 9/11/24
- Robert Ceja, who works at the equestrian business on the property where Shaver’s residence was located, takes the stand.
- Laurie Shaver’s current husband, Travis Filmer, takes the stand.
- Vanessa Townsend, whose husband had an affair with Laurie Shaver, tearfully recalled receiving a “gift” of flowers and a card purporting to be from Michael Shaver which prosecutors say was sent by the defendant, blowing the whistle on Laurie’s brief affair with Vanessa’s husband, Jereme.
- Defense attorney Jeffrey Wiggs spent much of Wednesday afternoon cross-examining Lt. Tamara Dale, one of the primary investigators in the case, trying to poke holes and cast doubt on how thorough the criminal investigation was before a charging decision was made
- WATCH: Defendant Laurie Shaver Asked if She Plans To Take Stand
DAY 2 – 9/10/24
- Robert Mercado, Jr., Michael Shaver’s friend and colleague, testifies to witnessing violence between Laurie and Michael.
- WATCH: Mother Accused of Burying Husband Under Fire Pit
- WATCH: Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial: Day 2 Recap
DAY 1 – 9/9/24
- The jury hears opening statements
- Frank Merritt, Michael Shaver’s former Walt Disney World colleague, takes the stand.
