Update: Jury Recommends Life In Prison For Christie Scott

A Franklin County jury has recommended life in prison for Christie Scott.

Since Thursday afternoon, the jury has been considering whether Scott should serve in prison or get the death penalty for the murder of her six-year-old son, Mason.


Seven jurors voted for life in prison, and five voted for the death penalty.

Members of Christie Scott's family held each other close and prayed in the courtroom just minutes after learning that the jury voted to spare Christie's life. They didn't speak as they left the courthouse, but defense attorney Robert Tuten did. Tuten says he is pleased with the jury's decision.

"We're pleased that the majority of the jury saw fit to save her life," says Tuten. "That's always important to us in a case like this."

Tuten says he can't comment in much detail about the defense strategy going forward, but he did say they will continue to fight to prove Scott's innocence.

"I presume there will be an appeal in this case," says Tuten. "In fact, I'll just go ahead and tell you that the groundwork to start that has already begun."

On Wednesday, jurors convicted Scott of three counts of capital murder. Her son Mason died in a house fire in August 2008. Jurors ruled Scott deliberately set the fire that killed her autistic son. Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing still feels it's one of the worst crimes to ever be committed in Franklin County.

"Obviously, there have been a lot of bad crimes over the years," explains Rushing. "But when a mother is convicted of burning her child up in a house, that obviously rises to that level."

Rushing pushed for the death penalty, but says he is satisfied with the outcome.

"We respect the jury's verdict 100-percent," says Rushing. "We feel the decision doesn't in any way tarnish the conviction."

The jury's decision is just a recommendation. Judge Terry Dempsey will make the final ruling during a sentencing hearing at 8:30 a.m. on August 5th. The judge can uphold the jury's recommendation or overturn it and sentence Scott to the death penalty.

Here is information on the three capital murder counts:

• Count 1: Capital murder for pecuniary/monetary gain
• Count 2: Capital murder committed during first degree arson
• Count 3: Capital murder of a person younger than 14 years of age

Scott showed no emotion as the jury foreman read the verdict. Her husband, parents, and family also showed little emotion as the verdict was read, but broke down later after court officers took Scott back in to custody.

A few courtroom observers gasped when they heard the verdict. A nurse was in the courtroom in case Scott needed medical attention when the jury announced the verdict, but she did not.

Scott stood as still and stoic as a statue when Judge Terry Dempsey repeated the word "guilty." Scott is now convicted of intentionally setting the fire and taking the life of her own son.

"It's actually the most heinous crime in Franklin County's history," says Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing. "there is nothing worse than a mother murdering her son for insurance money and because she didn't want him."

Rushing says the state's case was based primarily on circumstancial evidence.