McCarron found Guilty of Murder

[Guest guest]

McCarron has been found guilty of Murder in the death of

McCarron, her 3 year old autistic daughter. She has not been

sentenced yet, but she could face between 60 - 100 years of jail time

for murdering a child under the age of 12 years.

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/011708/TRI_BFHBKR7R.008.php

McCarron found guilty of murder

Thursday, January 17, 2008

BY KEVIN SAMPIER

of the Journal Star

PEKIN - There was a noticeable difference in McCarron's choice

of clothing Thursday, leading some to speculate she was preparing for

jail.

And now, after a nine-day jury trial, she is on her way to prison.

McCarron was found guilty Thursday of suffocating her 3-year-old

autistic daughter " " McCarron with a garbage bag.

McCarron, 39, of Morton sat silently in Tazewell County Circuit Court

as she was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, one

count of obstructing justice and one count of concealment of a

homicidal death.

Absent were the professional business-like clothes she wore throughout

her trial, instead replaced with light-colored jeans.

She carried a black backpack with her and wore white canvas shoes with

no laces, and for the first time, glasses instead of contact lenses.

There were smiles and hugs among husband McCarron's family, who

softly cheered as the guilty verdict was read.

" If the measure of a person's life could be quantified by the number

of people that loved them, then , in her brief 3½ years, achieved

well beyond all of us, " McCarron said in a prepared statement

about his daughter after the trial.

McCarron told police and jurors about driving to her mother's

empty Morton home on May 13, 2006, and wrapping a plastic garbage bag

around 's head until she died.

She then drove the girl's lifeless body back home and put her in bed

as if she were asleep.

McCarron, who is in the process of divorcing his wife, cried as

the verdict was read but McCarron showed no emotion.

She has been free from jail on $1 million bond since June 9, 2006, but

Judge Kouri revoked that bond after the verdict.

Handcuffs clicked around McCarron's wrists and she was led out of the

courthouse by Tazewell County sheriff's deputies.

McCarron's attorneys, Marc Wolfe and Steve Baker, entered a not

guilty by reason of insanity defense on her behalf, which was rejected

by jurors as well as the option of guilty but mentally ill.

Jurors deliberated about four hours Wednesday and five hours Thursday

before making their decision.

Wolfe said he was " extremely disappointed " with the guilty verdict and

said, " I'm certain she's disappointed as well, " referring to his

client.

McCarron was mentally ill at the time of the killing, Wolfe

said, and he thought the evidence showed that.

" The testimony bore out the connection between her illness and the

crime, " he said, but stopped just short of confirming he will appeal

the verdict.

" Certainly that option will be explored, " he said.

, chief assistant Tazewell County state's attorney, said

he told McCarron and family the trial would be a long and

difficult process.

" Today we reached the end of that journey with a justified verdict, "

said.

McCarron stood next to prosecutors after the trial and thanked

them and police for their work.

" We are blessed to have these caring and professional people in our

community, " he wrote.

The sentencing range for first-degree murder is between 20 and 60

years, but because was younger than 12 years old, that

sentencing range increases to between 60 and 100 years.

A sentencing date was not set Thursday but is expected to be scheduled

today.

Numerous witnesses said McCarron, a former pathologist, couldn't

accept 's autism and was obsessed with finding a cure.

When a cure couldn't be found and suggestions of institutionalizing

the girl and giving her up for adoption were rejected by family

members, she chose to kill her.

was sent to a special school for children with autism in North

Carolina, where she lived with her father for nearly two years.

McCarron pursued various types of therapies and hired caregivers to

work with her daughter as the obsession with curing the autism grew.

" I ask all parents, and especially those of children with

disabilities, to always love your children and be proud of them, "

McCarron wrote in his statement. " Cherish every moment you have with

them. Love, patience and tender efforts are the best therapies. "

Sampier can be reached at 346-5300 or ksampier@....