by: Hope Jensen Updated:
GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. – A Cobb County father has been found guilty of murder in his son’s hot car death.
After several days of deliberations, jurors convicted Ross Harris on all counts, including malice murder, two counts of felony murder, cruelty to children in the first degree, cruelty to children in the second degree, criminal attempt to commit a felony to wit: sexual exploitation of children and two counts of dissemination of harmful materials to minors.
Harris’ 22-month-old son, Cooper, died on June 18, 2014, when Harris left him inside his SUV outside his office for nearly seven hours.
He showed little to no emotion as the verdict was read Monday afternoon. Harris’ attorney, Maddox Kilgore, appeared to be the most upset, hanging his head and telling the judge they really didn’t have anything they wanted to say about sentencing at this time. Kilgore has already said they will appeal several aspects of the case. During trial, he asked for a mistrial three times, but the judge denied all his requests.
“Today is not a victory, nor is it a day we celebrate. In fact, today is a monumentally sad day,” Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds said about the verdict. “This has been a 29-month journey culminating in this guilty verdict. I want to thank the community of Glynn County for their hospitality and the Cobb Police Department for their hard work. And I certainly want to thank all the members of DA’s Office who worked on this case. It was a true team effort, and I believe justice was served today on behalf of young Cooper Harris.”
Prosecutors argued that it was intentional. They said Harris was living a double life and wanted to escape his family life to be “the other Justin Ross Harris.” During trial, they brought in multiple women who were sexting with Harris on the day of Cooper’s death, including a minor and a woman Harris claimed to love. Prosecutors said Harris wanted to live that life full time, but wouldn’t leave his wife as long as his son was alive.