It was a fairly quick deliberation at the Clearfield County courthouse on Wednesday. It took the jury about an hour to find Jennifer Medzie guilty of third degree murder.
This morning before Medzie learned her fate, she tearfully took the stand to recall the morning two year old Sophia was rushed to the hospital. Medzie repeated the story she told police, saying the toddler was acting normal the morning of November 15th. However, the twenty two year old mentioned for the first time that she feared for Sophia’s life in the home. Medzie claimed she was hit by the child’s father Cody Lauder the night before Sophia collapsed.
Her defense attorney argued to the jury that Medzie was cooperative with police throughout the three year investigation. “To my clients credit she’s been consistent throughout this trial that she didn’t do anything to do harm that child. But again, the jury saw it in a different way and we have to honor the jury’s verdict,” says defense attorney, Robert Donaldson.
The Clearfield County District Attorney closed today’s arguments trying to convince the jury Medzie’s story does not match up with medical facts. He repeated the toddler was murdered by being brutally beaten.
The jury found Medzie guilty of third degree murder along with assault charges and endangering the welfare of a child.
District Attorney Shaw says today is a win for those involved in the investigation. “A two year old died from blunt force trauma to her head. That’s not natural somebody had to do it. We had to keep at this thing we had to keep pursuing it and as you can see it,” explains Clearfield County District Attorney Bill Shaw.
The victims’ family did not want to talk to us on camera but they share a statement with WTAJ saying “Although our hearts may never be satisfied we will have peace that Jennifer Medzie will never have the chance to harm another child and bring another family to their knees again.”
Medzie will be sentenced within the next 60 days. She could face up to 40 years in prison for the third degree murder charge.