Usnick found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, not guilty of second-degree murder
A woman accused in the death of her newborn child was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Friday night.
Emily Usnick’s baby was found wrapped in a trash bag, inside a container, inside the trunk of a car in 2009 in Miller County.
She was found not guilty on the charge of second-degree murder.
The jury deliberated for nearly five hours before reaching a verdict.
Within the first three hours, they sent a note out saying they did not think they would be able to reach a verdict, or change the mind of the minority voters.
The judge responded by telling them to make every reasonable effort to find a verdict
Jurors later sent out another note asking for transcripts for some of the testimonies because they were remembering them differently from each other.
The judge said the documents would not be available and that they would have to be guided by their collective memories.
At 9:45 p.m., the jury reached a verdict.
Usnick is out on bond and is set to be sentenced June 29.