Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A lawyer defending a man accused of crimes in taking photos of Sen. Thad Cochran's late wife says the legislator's Saturday marriage to his executive assistant will help his defense.

Kevin Camp says Cochran's marriage to Kay Webber lends credence to statements that his client, blogger Clayton Kelly of Pearl, was trying to make when he entered a nursing home and took pictures of Rose Cochran while bedridden in April 2014.

Kelly is scheduled for a June 8 trial in Madison County Circuit Court on charges of conspiracy, burglary and attempted burglary. Camp questions whether any laws were broken.

Officials said when they arrested Kelly that he wanted to advance allegations that the senator was having an inappropriate relationship with Webber. Cochran's aides said then that there was nothing improper.