STORY: "Jury begins deliberations in Palm Harbor day care operator's murder trial," by reporter Curtis Kreuger, published in the Tampa Bay Times earlier today.
CRUX: "Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Cynthia Newton told jurors that to convict Spurgeon of first-degree murder, they would have to conclude that Spurgeon was the person who killed the child, and that her death resulted from Spurgeon committing aggravated child abuse on Harris. But because of a legal provision known as felony murder, it would not be necessary to prove she intended to kill the girl. Newton said jurors also have the option of finding Spurgeon guilt of manslaughter, or not guilty."
THE ENTIRE STORY CAN BE FOUND AT:
CLOSING ARGUMENTS:
http://video.tbo.com/v/51859888/closing-arguments-in-stephanie-spurgeon-s-trial.htm
http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith
Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;