Jury Hands Down Verdict in Jarrett Murder Trial

After hours of deliberation, a jury has found Robert Jarrett Jr. guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his former wife, Christine Jarrett, the Baltimore Sun reported. 

Prosecutors had been seeking a first-degree murder conviction for Robert Jarrett, who reported Christine Jarrett missing in 1991. At the time, a detective on the case said that he thought she had run away.

More than 20 years later,  buried in concrete under a shed in the back yard of the Claire Drive house the couple had shared.

Neighbors told Patch that for 21 years, they had suspected that Christine Jarrett was buried in the yard in Elkridge.

"" one resident said, referring to the tool shed in the Jarretts' backyard where Christine Jarrett's remains were found.

Read full coverage of the Jarrett case on Elkridge Patch

Robert Jarrett had "Never said anything to the contrary other than he's innocent," his attorney, George Psoras said during the eight-day trial, according to WBAL. The best case scenario, he said, was that the prosecution had "sympathy and skeletal remains."

Jurors, however, did believe Jarrett killed his wife, though they did not think the act was pre-meditated, leading to the lesser second-degree murder conviction, according to WBAL. 

Prosecutors reportedly said they will ask for the maximum 30-year prison sentence at Jarrett's sentencing, which is scheduled for August.

Related:

- Murder Trial Begins for Robert Jarrett

- Elkridge Man Accused of Burying Wife's Body in Backyard Indicted

- Neighbors Say They Feared Body Was Buried in Neighborhood

- Long Trail Ended at Makeshift Grave Under Elkridge Shed