Tata Found Guilty of Murder For One Of Four Victims In Blaze
A Harris County jury has found former daycare owner, Jessica Tata's guilty for the murder of Elias Castillo, a 16-month old, and the youngest of the 4 killed in a blaze back in February 2011.
This was the scene yesterday as Tata's family left the courtroom distraught.
Today, Tata reportedly displayed no reaction to the reading of the verdict.
Next, the punishment phase begins around 1 o'clock this afternoon.
Tata is facing life in prison on one of four counts of felony murder. Jurors began deliberating Monday afternoon and reached a verdict Tuesday shortly before noon.
Prosecutors had argued Tata left the children home alone with oil cooking on a stove while she went shopping. In the end, the stove was found to be a murder weapon in this case.
Three other children were also hurt in the fire. As a result, Tata has been charged with reckless abandonment, inlcuding other charges.
Defense attorney Mike DeGeurin outside the courtroom Monday evening. (below)
