GUILTY

In Houston Texas a middle-aged black woman named Mona Nelson kidnapped a 12-year-old white boy, Jonathan Foster, from his home on Christmas Eve 2010. She tied him up with string, tortured him, then burned him with a welding torch and dumped his body in a ditch. Reverse the races and this would be the lead story every night in the media – the same reason it’s being ignored. She was found GUILTY today.

HOUSTON, TX – […] After the verdict was read, the judge sentened Nelson to life in prison. Prosecutors had not sought the death penalty.

Nelson was accused of kidnapping Foster on Christmas Eve 2010. His burned body was later found wrapped in carpet, discarded in a ditch.

Nelson had told police she dumped the contents of a garbage can there, but claimed not to know that they included the boy’s remains.

The entire trial lasted a little more than two weeks. It culminated in dramatic closing arguments on Monday. And by Tuesday morning, the judge reached her verdict.

A bench trial, rather than a jury trial, is an unusual choice in capital murder case, but both sides say that’s what Nelson wanted.

Jonathan’s mother was not in court Tuesday morning, but prosecutors spoke with her after the verdict was announced.

“I just talked to her on the phone and she let out a whoop of you,” said prosecutor Connie Spence. “She felt very satisfied. Obviously, this is not in any way going to diminish her missing her child, but the fact that someone is held responsible, I think she’s very, very grateful for.”

Nelson is sentenced to an automatic life sentence without the opportunity for parole. Her attorney says she insists she’s innocent and says she will appeal. (article with video and links)