MONROE, N.C. (AP) — A Monroe man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after being found guilty of stabbing and killing an elementary school teacher in front of her daughter.

Thirty-one-year-old Lamate Sherron Anderson was convicted Thursday after a Union County jury deliberated less than two hours.

Anderson was charged with murder in the 2010 stabbing death of 37-year-old Yolanda Simon. She was a fifth-grade teacher at Polkton/Peachland Elementary School in neighboring Anson County.

Anderson lived across the street from Simon.

Police say Simon's 6-year-old daughter saw the stabbing.

Anderson tried to convince the jury that he was insane at the time of the stabbing.