FATHER WHO INTENTIONALLY LEFT HIS 22-MONTH-OLD RECEIVES LIFE SENTENCE
WSBTV reported:
“Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds said justice was served Monday when a judge handed down a life sentence for Ross Harris. But Reynolds also said he does not consider the sentence a victory or a reason to celebrate.
Judge Mary Staley sentenced the 36-year-old father to life without parole plus 32 years for his son’s death in a hot car.
Harris left his 22-month-old son, Cooper, inside his SUV for nearly seven hours in June 2014. The toddler died of hyperthermia.
Last month, a jury convicted Harris on eight counts: 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 material to minors.
Sentencing breakdown:
Count 1 – Life without parole
Count 4 – 20 years to serve
Count 6 – 10 years to serve
Count 7- 12 months to serve
Count 8 – 12 months to serve
During his trial, Harris chose not to testify. On Monday, he made the same decision, choosing not to speak as Staley prepared to sentence him.
Harris’ lawyers also declined to put up any argument or call in any witnesses during sentencing, telling the judge “We have no argument.”
“I think that was really because he saw the wall and he knew that would not make a difference with the judge. She clearly made up her mind. I mean, the sentence sheet was already prepared,” legal analyst Ashley Merchant said.
Prosecutors did not put up any evidence either, saying the six-week trial against Harris had said it all. They asked for the maximum sentence.
“There’s only one sentence to match the evil acts he did,” lead prosecutor Chuck Boring told Staley.””
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