Marquette woman found not guilty in death of baby
The state did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt Tiffany Cure murdered a 4-month old baby, nor was she responsible for potential abuse resulting in the toddler's death, according to court records.
By News Channel Nebraska
AURORA, Neb. --
Not guilty.
A Marquette woman is free following a quick deliberation by the jury in her murder case regarding the death of an infant.
The state did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt Tiffany Cure murdered a 4-month old baby, nor that she was responsible for potential abuse resulting in the toddler's death, according to court records.
The jury returned its verdict just 63 minutes after being sent to deliberate.
Cure was found not guilty of first-degree murder and not guilty of child abuse resulting in death.
The jury was set to confer until 7 p.m. Wednesday evening and had a verdict in by 6:31 p.m.
When the case went to the jury, they received a lengthy docket of instructions. Cure pleaded not guilty to both counts and the judge said she must remain so unless the state proves beyond a reasonable doubt she is guilty.
Cure could have been found guilty of first-degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter, or not guilty on the first charge.
In the second count, she faced intentional child abuse resulting in death, negligent child abuse resulting in death, manslaughter, or be found not guilty.
The instructions state Cure did not testify during the trial, and anything she said to investigators was up to the jury to determine whether or not to use it in their final decision.
The jury was excused after the verdict was read and the 22-year-old was discharged.