Cathy Cole
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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After three days of deliberating, a jury found Lindsey Bruce guilty of aggravated murder in connection with the killing 5-year-old Emily Rimel.
Bruce, who was convicted of kidnapping Emily Rimel last year, was accused of murdering the girl and dumping her body near Big Walnut Creek in December 2004, NBC 4's Nancy Burton reported.
Bruce was found guilty on one count of aggravated murder with a death penalty specification, but not guilty of another aggravated murder charge that concerned a purposeful killing. He was also found guilty of tampering with evidence for dumping her body and a lesser charge of murder, Burton reported.
Jurors deliberated since Wednesday, and returned to the courtroom on Friday afternoon to ask the judge a question. The jurors said they had reached a consensus on three of four charges, but were unable to agree on the fourth charge, asking what happens next.
The judge instructed the jury to return to deliberate and try to reach a decision. A short time later, the jury told the judge that they would continue to deliberate through Friday evening -- insisting that they would reach a unanimous decision.
The jury returned shortly before 4 p.m., saying they had reached a final decision.
Bruce hung his head as the verdicts were read, Burton reported.
The victim's mother said the guilty verdict after the 18-day trial was the beginning of justice for her daughter.
"I'm excited that we're going to have justice for Emily. She deserves better than what happened to her. She deserved the world and her life was ended too short," said Jane Rimel, the girl's mother.
The same jurors will return on April 3 to begin the next phase of the trial -- deciding whether Bruce will live or die.
Emily Rimel would have turned 8 years old on Saturday.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17760213
Bruce, who was convicted of kidnapping Emily Rimel last year, was accused of murdering the girl and dumping her body near Big Walnut Creek in December 2004, NBC 4's Nancy Burton reported.
Bruce was found guilty on one count of aggravated murder with a death penalty specification, but not guilty of another aggravated murder charge that concerned a purposeful killing. He was also found guilty of tampering with evidence for dumping her body and a lesser charge of murder, Burton reported.
Jurors deliberated since Wednesday, and returned to the courtroom on Friday afternoon to ask the judge a question. The jurors said they had reached a consensus on three of four charges, but were unable to agree on the fourth charge, asking what happens next.
The judge instructed the jury to return to deliberate and try to reach a decision. A short time later, the jury told the judge that they would continue to deliberate through Friday evening -- insisting that they would reach a unanimous decision.
The jury returned shortly before 4 p.m., saying they had reached a final decision.
Bruce hung his head as the verdicts were read, Burton reported.
The victim's mother said the guilty verdict after the 18-day trial was the beginning of justice for her daughter.
"I'm excited that we're going to have justice for Emily. She deserves better than what happened to her. She deserved the world and her life was ended too short," said Jane Rimel, the girl's mother.
The same jurors will return on April 3 to begin the next phase of the trial -- deciding whether Bruce will live or die.
Emily Rimel would have turned 8 years old on Saturday.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17760213
ugh. God be with her family... 
