THE VERDICT

After 23 hours of sequestered deliberations over the course of three days the jury returned its verdict on March 19.

It found Celeste Beard guilty of capital murder and injury to an elderly person. The first count carried an automatic life sentence requiring a minimum of 40 years in prison. But the jurors still had to decide on punishment for the second count.

During the penalty phase, Beard's defense attorney, Dick DeGuerin, boldly challenged the jury, saying, "By God I disagree with your verdict" and "I think it's wrong." He suggested that holdouts had been pressured into the guilty verdict and asked them not to reach a verdict for punishment.

A few hours after the hearing ended, the jury rejected the defense's request and sentenced Celeste Beard to a second life term in prison and the maximum possible fine, $10,000.

Two jurors later interviewed by Court TV said they were outraged and insulted by DeGuerin's suggestion.

Family members told Court TV that after the verdict an emotional meeting took place between the Beard family and some of the jurors. Kristina Beard, one of the defendant's daughters, recalled that one of the jurors comforted her and wiped away her tears as she thanked them for the verdict.

The family said they also met with the triggerperson, Tracey Tarlton. The Beard twins said they wanted closure and needed Tarlton to help them "fill in the blanks" from the night of the shooting.

The family thanked Tarlton for testifying against Celeste Beard and forgave her for killing Steven Beard.

Celeste Beard will be 80 years old before she is eligible for parole. She is appealing her conviction.

At the time of this writing, Cole Johnson, her fifth husband, had no plans to divorce her.