ST. JOHNS, Fla.-- It took jurors one hour and 38 minutes to say what 66-year-old Helen Googe's family waited more than three years to hear.
"We the jury find the defendant guilty of first degree murder," read the St Johns Court attendant.
Back in 2009, 28-year-old Timothy Fletcher and his partner Doni Brown used a jack to escape from the Putnam County Jail. Police say Flethcher then strangled his step-grandmother and stole her car during a home invasion.
The pair made it all the way to Kentucky and back before they were caught. "It's a long time coming for the victim's family. So we are happy justice was done," said Assistant District Attorney, Mark Johnson.
The murder happened in Putnam County, but the trial was moved to St Johns because of all the publicity it received.
"This is just one step that this family can have some closure in the case," said Johnson.
And though Fletcher was found guilty Friday, relatives, who will never see Googe again, still have one more hurdle to climb.
The jury who convicted him, will decide if Fletcher dies for his crimes. "They have been very resilient. This is a very traumatic event for them. There just ready to see the end of it," said Johnson.
The jury will be back in the St Johns County courtroom on Monday June 11th for Fletcher's sentencing. Doni Brown is expected to go to trail later this summer for this case. He also faces the death penalty.
