CATON, N.Y. (WENY) – The man convicted of first degree murder in connection with the death of his wife has filed a formal appeal of his conviction, according to our media partner, The Star Gazette.

Thomas Clayton was found guilty of first and second degree murder last year after he conspired with his former employee, Michael Beard, to kill Clayton's wife, Kelley.
Kelley was found beaten to death in her home on Ginnan Road in the Town of Caton in September 29, 2015.

Beard, who worked under Clayton at Paul Davis and ServPro, initially told authorities he was promised $10,000 by Clayton if he killed Kelley; however, Beard later recanted this statement and testified that Clayton did hire him, but only to burn down the house for insurance money, not to kill Kelley.

The jury rejected Beard's revised statement and found him guilty of first-degree murder in November 2016.

Clayton is currently serving out his sentence at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York. Beard is at the Auburn Correctional Facility.

Clayton's appeal will reportedly be forwarded to the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court, Fourth Department in Rochester. There, a panel of judges will consider written briefs filed by attorneys and listen to oral arguments at a hearing.

It is currently unknown when this hearing will take place.

Read the full appeal below: