There's no book to write today. It happened and was over in an instant. There was a lot of waiting around as the jury deliberated, but no story to tell.
The jury was told in the morning it could indeed consider the 'extreme emotional disturbance' defense and change the murder charge to manslaugther.
Judge Kim Martusewicz read the charges to the jury and explained the laws. He explained how each charge must meet the law beyond reasonable doubt or else Kyle would have to be found not guilty.
He then sent them to the jury room to begin deliberations.
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For a while, as a reporter and even family to an extent, you just sit around from here. You can't go far because the jury can come to a decision at anytime and you have to be nearby to get to the courtroom on time. Most people just waited in the hallway. A room was set aside for press.
After a while you get antsy just sitting around and want to move around. I got some time to answer emails, get some ideas for the upcoming story out of the way, start writing some stuff and then I still had time to catch up on an episode of Gotham when I ran out of things to do for work. (I love Michael Chiklis. The Shield is in my top 5 of all time great shows.) Around noon I went to grab a slice of pizza from Cam's nearby and rushed back.
My timing was impeccable because about 10 minutes later, the commotion started. People started to get back into the courtroom. (At this point you still have about 20 minutes because Box had to be brought back from the jail to the courthouse.)
But Bent's family made it inside. (I'm not sure I ever saw anyone from Box's family. I admit I don't know Box's family and it's possible someone was there at some point, but I tend to think no.)
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A short time later, Box came back in the courtoom with the public defenders, the DA and the men and women in uniform.
Judge Martusewicz came in and said a verdict had been reached. He called in the jury.
It was fast.
Murder - Guilty
Arson - Guilty
Tampering - Guilty
You get the point.
As soon as the first 'guilty' came out of the foreperson's mouth, an audible gasp of relief came from one of Bent's family members. The embraces and tears of happiness began.
Kyle Box didn't move. (He did watch the jury members as they entered the room.) He didn't react. He had no emotion.
Perhaps he had known this was coming. Perhaps he has no remorse. Perhaps he just doesn't show emotion. No one knows.
The jury was thanked and set free.
Box was taken back to jail.
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The family had smiles outside of the courtroom. Randy Bent wasn't painted in the greatest light in this trial but his family was there to support his memory and they aren't all local. His brother Richard is from Rochester. They didn't necessarily agree with his choices in life, but they also never believed he would attack anyone.
Krystina Mills was happy and relieved.
I think and I later asked her how much stock she put into that possibility of murder becoming manslaughter. She was worried.
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I'm not sure what people are supposed to say in these situations but amazingly Richard Bent was able to put his feelings into words, somehow.
So was Mills who I'm sure was happy to get the win, but she didn't bring Randy Bent back and she said that. This is the best that can be done in this situation.
So we're thankful to see and hear from people who can live through something like this and are amazed at the strength they show.
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Kyle Box will face a minimum of 15 to life and a max of 25 to life when he's sentenced in March.
He will be eligilbe for parole in 15 years. He'll be 35 when that first happens.
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We'll do it again next week when Brenda Roth goes on trial in Lewis County. She's the Lewis County woman who had manslaughter and homocide charges against her dropped, but reinstated on appeal.
A preview is below:
Prosecutors had appealed that decision and Tuesday, Lewis County District Attorney Leanne Moser says a state appellate court decided on Friday to reverse a local judge's ruling.
Roth was initially charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and tampering with evidence after a 15 year old boy, Derek Holton, died from an overdose at her home.
When dismissing those charges, a local judge had ruled that there was no evidence Roth was directly responsible.
Prosecutors had argued Holton had taken a number of prescription drugs at Roth's home with her knowledge and even when he overdosed, Roth failed to immediately call 911.