Georgia hot car death trial update: Dad found guilty

Harris faced and was found guilty of all eight charges: malice murder, two counts of felony murder, cruelty to children in the first degree, cruelty to children in the second degree, criminal attempt to commit a felony and two counts of dissemination of harmful material to minors.

Harris was accused of intentionally leaving Cooper inside a hot car for seven hours on June 18, 2014 while he was at work. The toddler was in his rear-facing car seat in the Hyundai Tucson. One that day, temperatures there were in the low 90s.

On the day Cooper died, Harris exchanged sexual messages and photos with six women, including one minor. He had extramarital sexual encounters in public places and paid for sex with a prostitute.

Harris’ ex-wife and Cooper’s mother, Leanna Taylor testified during the murder trial. “Cooper was the sweetest little boy. He had so much life in him. He was everything to me,” she says. Harris confessed to her that he had a pornography problem just before Cooper’s untimely death.

Court documents state that Harris allegedly researched child deaths in hot cars before the incident.

Harris waived his right to testify in his own defense after pleading not guilty.

Here’s what he faces in terms of time in prison for each count:

1. Malice Murder (Mandatory life sentence)
2. Felony Murder (Mandatory life sentence)
3. Felony Murder (Mandatory life sentence)
4. Cruelty to Children in the First Degree (5-to-20 year sentence)
5. Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree (1-to-10 year sentence)
6. Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony (10 year sentence)
7. Dissemination of Pornography to Minors (12 month sentence; $5,000 fine)
8. Dissemination of Pornography to Minors (12 month sentence; $5,000 fine)