No Shame! Hot Car Dad Justin Ross Harris Laughs In Court As Jury Deliberates
Nov. 8 2016, Published 7:59 p.m. ET
Justin Ross Harris's jury is weighing the evidence against Cooper Harris's father, Justin Ross Harris, who is accused of intentionally leaving his son to die in a hot car. Click through the gallery to find out the latest from the Hot Car Death Trial.
Ross Harris hit a new low as the jury deliberated his fate. Cooper Harris's dad was caught fist bumping his lawyer in the courtroom, laughing and joking during the serious situation. The jurors were going over the evidence, and asked Judge Mary Staley multiple questions on their first day of deliberations.
The jurors asked the judge if they could have a printed transcript of Lead Detective Phil Stoddard's interrogation of Ross Harris, which took place shortly after the baby was found dead. During that interview, Ross Harris argued with Stoddard. He was told, "Your actions caused his death," and Cooper's father responded: "How is that against the law?" The judge told the jury they could watch the video in the courtroom on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.
The jury requested and were given the car seat that was entered into evidence to review in their private room. Cooper was strapped in on June 18, 2014, when his father claims he forgot about him in the seat and left him there to die as the car reached approximately 120 degrees. Prosecutors claimed that it was impossible for Ross Harris not to see the baby in the seat when he exited the car. Det. Stoddard also told the jury that Cooper Harris was about three inches too long for his car seat.
Judge Staley denied a request from the jury to provide a legal definition of the word "wanton." She responded that it was part of a phrase in one charge. The prosecution charged Ross Harris with eight counts, including two felony charges.
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The jury also requested the doll that was used in the recreation photos, but the judge denied their request, saying the doll had not been entered into evidence. Ross Harris returned to his car at lunchtime the day Cooper died, but claimed that he did not see his son in the car when he tossed a bag of light bulbs into the SUV.
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During the trial, the jury heard from multiple women, including two who were underage and one prostitute, who were sexting with the father, including on the day that his son died. At 9:15 am, while he was sitting with his son at the Chick-Fil-A, he sent the note: "I love my son and all but we both need escapes," just minutes before he left the baby in the car according to WSB TV in Georgia.
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Jurors were dismissed early on November 8, 2016, in order to vote. Ross Harris was facing life in prison if found guilty. Stay with RadarOnline.com for updates to the story.
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