Thompson jury breaks for weekend, still waiting on verdict

AURORA - Jurors in the Aaron Thompson case called it an early day on Friday, leaving the courthouse around noon, putting off further deliberations until Monday. Jurors must decide if the Aurora father is guilty of child abuse related to his 6-year-old daughter's apparent death.

Closing arguments in the case wrapped up on Tuesday, following six weeks of testimony. Thompson faces 57 counts, including child abuse resulting in death. There are still only theories about how Thompson's daughter, Arrone, died.

9News Legal Analyst Scott Robinson said it's not surprising jurors haven't reached a verdict after three days of deliberations.

"This jury is obviously taking their time to make sure they get it done right," Robinson said.

Robinson said he's seen a jury take nine minutes and others take nine days to reach a verdict.

"They may not be close to a verdict, or the may be on the brink, the fact that three days have passed, does not mean this jury is having trouble reaching a verdict, only when a message comes out that a jury is deadlocked do we start thinking of the possibility of a hung jury," explained Robinson.

Robinson also points out jurors have a lot of evidence to weigh and it's good they are taking their time.

"It's not surprising the jury is out a long time, and neither the defense nor the prosecution should be too discouraged or too excited this jury doesn't come back today, it's doesn't mean anything," said Robinson.

"They have the burden of proof and there is reasonable doubt throughout this case," defense attorney James Karbach told the jury during his closing arguments.

Prosecutor Robert Chappell told jurors Thompson is charged with child abuse, not homicide, and said Thompson is guilty even if he stood by as his girlfriend killed Aarone.

Chappell described a horrific home in which the children were routinely beat with belts, television cords and a baseball bat. The children became used to abuse, the prosecutor said.

"They don't know you don't get beaten every day," Chappell said. He later urged the jury, "Do justice for these kids."

Chappell spent the better part of Tuesday morning methodically outlining the district attorney's case. There were, after all, 60 criminal counts in all, many dealing with the child abuse allegations made by the other children living in the Thompson home.

However, it is clearly the death of Aarone Thompson which lies at the very center of the case.

Aaron Thompson reported his daughter missing back in 2005. Police quickly believed, however, that the girl had likely been dead for as many as two years.

Despite a massive investigation, detectives have not been able to locate the body of Aarone. In fact, this lengthy trial has done little to come up with a definitive answer to the question: What exactly happened to Aarone?

Karbach, said that Thompson helped cover up the girl's death, but shouldn't be found guilty of causing it.

"There is no body. There is no cause of death," Karbach said.

Prosecutors clearly want the jury to believe this was a conspiracy on the part of Aaron Thompson from the very moment he notified police of the disappearance and, as alleged, told the other children to lie about her whereabouts.

The defense said Thompson's live-in girlfriend, Shely Lowe, was responsible for Aarone's death and there wasn't enough evidence to convict Thompson on the most serious charges. Lowe passed away in 2006.

Prosecutor Amy Richards said that Thompson was part of a conspiracy with Lowe to conceal Aarone's death.

The jury will continue deliberating at the Arapahoe County Courthouse on Monday.