Yazoo City, Miss. ? A jury convicted a former truck driver Saturday of killing three relatives who vanished from their home on Valentine’s Day last year.

It took the jury about two hours to find Earnest Lee Hargon guilty of capital murder. The defense called no witnesses during the trial.

“We’re pleased,” prosecutor Steven Waldrup said. “The evidence was overwhelming. It’s exactly what we expected.”

Hargon was accused in the slayings of his cousin, Michael Hargon; Michael’s wife, Rebecca; and the couple’s 4-year-old son, James.

The family disappeared from their home in Vaughan on Feb. 14, 2004. Blood and spent bullet casings were discovered at the home.

Prosecutors said information Earnest Hargon gave authorities allowed them to find the bodies about two weeks later, buried in woods off a road nearly 100 miles from Vaughan.

The jury was to return to the courthouse today to hear evidence in the trial’s sentencing phase. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Defense attorney Andre de Gruy said the defense will present Hargon as a good man troubled by an addiction to crystal methamphetamine.

Defense attorney Wesley Evans said prosecutors ignored other possible suspects, including a gang that may have had a grudge against Michael Hargon for testifying against one of its members.

Michael Hargon’s sister, Jennifer Hargon McBride, said the verdict was bittersweet because her mother was not there when it was read. Diane Hargon died of cancer Nov. 10.

“God has a weird way of working sometimes,” McBride said. “But we’re strong enough to get through it.”