Jury Begins Deliberation in Caro Murder Trial
A Ventura County jury began its deliberations Tuesday in the case of Socorro Caro, the Santa Rosa Valley woman accused of fatally shooting three of her four children.
After nine weeks of testimony, the jury received its final instructions from Superior Court Judge Donald D. Coleman. At 9:30 a.m., the panel of nine women and three men headed for a conference room to discuss the case for the first time.
Coleman told the jury’s four alternates to be on call should any jurors become unable to serve.
Charged with first-degree murder, Caro has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.
If she is convicted, jurors later will determine whether she was sane on the night of Nov. 22, 1999, when the crimes were committed.
If they conclude that she was sane, they will recommend whether she receives the death penalty or a life sentence without parole.
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