Autopsy photo and demonstration caught the eyes of the jurors.
Read more: Local, Crime
MANISTIQUE -- What piece of evidence or testimony convinced the 12 members of the jury in the Thomas Richardson trial to convict him of first degree murder?
Was it because Richardson changed his story of what happened at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, or was it photographic evidence presented by the prosecution?
The jury was split seven to five when they first began deliberations on Tuesday. However, shortly after 2 p.m Wednesday, one piece of evidence convinced all jurors Richardson was guilty of murder in the first degree.
Two symmetrical bruises on the back of Juanita's leg caught the eye of juror number nine, Deb LeBlanc, who felt the autopsy picture was worth more discussion.
"When you look at the bruise, you actually see it's not a perfectly straight line; and when you do look at the bruise, you do see something that almost looks like it could be the fore part of a sole of a shoe; the front part," explained LeBlanc. "That's what I had in my mind, and for two weeks I couldn't get that out of my head, and it was something I actually drew in my notes when that picture went around the jury box."
The medical examiner testified the bruising came from a type of blunt force, or what they like to call a nightstick-type of injury by a linear object, either right before or at the time of death.
During deliberations, one juror felt a demonstration would help give an explanation for the bruises. As he was kicked from behind, he fell a few feet forward. Then a female juror stepped in.
"She weighed about 185 pounds, and she was a little shorter than Juanita; but when she was kicked, she fell forward about six feet and caught herself on the closet," said Juror David Brehm. "So immediately everyone had this sense of, the feeling that, that's got to be it."
Even though they felt it was a breakthrough, they again reconsidered all the other evidence and the more than six weeks of testimony. By putting everything together, they were able to make one final decision.
"It wasn't because of what either side in this case did. It was the evidence that was presented that changed my mind," Brehm explained.
First degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Sentencing is set for May 19 at 10 a.m in Alger County.
