Nearly two months after reporting for jury duty, the six-man, six-woman panel of Glynn County residents selected to determine the fate of Justin Ross Harris finally began deliberations Tuesday morning.
(Harris facing many decades in prison)
The jury started sorting through roughly 1,150 pieces of evidence shortly after 9:30 a.m. The car seat where 22-month-old Cooper Harris died after spending seven hours in the back seat of his father’s hot SUV was among the last pieces of evidence turned over to the jury, which must decide whether the toddler’s death was an accident or intended.
There was some concern that Harris’ cell phone, part of the evidence, might connect to the courthouse Wi-Fi. Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley Clark ruled that any examination of the phone would take place in open court.
It’s unlikely the jury, which will be dismissed at noon to permit jurors to vote, will reach a verdict on Tuesday. They’ll have Wednesday and Thursday to deliberate before recessing Friday, Veteran’s Day.
Harris is charged with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, first-degree cruelty to children, second-degree cruelty to children, sexual exploitation of children and two counts of disseminating harmful material to minors.
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