CLEARWATER (WFLA News) -- John Jonchuck has been found guilty of first degree murder in the death of his five year old daughter Phoebe.
The jury deliberated less than a full day before reaching that unanimous verdict, accepting prosecutors' arguments that his dropping the little girl off a bridge into Tampa Bay was a premeditated act. Judge Chris Helinger immediately sentenced Jonchuck to life in prison, despite a defense request for a delay. It was her only option since prosecutors took the death penalty off the table.
The defense argued that Jonchuck was not guilty by reason of insanity.
Jurors left the courthouse with a deputy's escort, without comment.