Terrence Roach found guilty of abuse of a corpse, not murder in Aleah Beckerle case

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The man accused of kidnapping and killing Aleah Beckerle has been found not guilty of felony murder, kidnapping and burglary but guilty of criminal confinement and abuse of a corpse.

Terrence Roach, 25, was charged with three counts of felony murder and four other felonies in connection with Beckerle’s disappearance.

The jury was released to deliberate at 1:45 p.m. after hearing closing statements from the defense and prosecution.

They returned with a verdict after more than 11 hours, with the jury deliberating until nearly 1 a.m.

Members of Beckerle's family, some wearing "Justice For Aleah" shirts, stayed in the courthouse hours after the building closed waiting for a verdict.

The hallway leading to the courtroom was closed from about 4 p.m. to about 1 a.m. to block people from walking near the courtroom. Instead, people waiting to hear a verdict watched a video feed of another courthouse hallway for any sign that the jury was leaving the deliberation room to announce their verdict.

Women yelled in excitement several times when they thought they saw movement. Audience members would rush toward the hall door, only to realize no verdict had been reached yet. When the jury finally reached a verdict shortly before 1 a.m., people piled into the doorway to get back to the courtroom.

Supporters and family of both Beckerle and Roach were in the same area waiting for the verdict.

Beckerle's family and friends were shocked to hear Roach was found guilty of two felonies but not felony murder or kidnapping. More than one person burst into tears when they heard the verdict.

Her mother Cara Beckerle broke down crying and screaming after the jury left the courtroom.

"What the (expletive) happened?" she asked.

The Beckerle family left the courthouse after 1 a.m.

Roach's jury trial started Monday and included video of detectives interviewing Roach. He told them he took Beckerle to get back at her mother Cara Beckerle, who he believed set up his father, Demarco Roach, to be arrested.

Prosecutors played a recording of Terrence Roach calling his mother and saying, “I didn’t plan on killing her...she died on her own.”

Wednesday was the last day of testimony in the case. The defense called several witnesses after the prosecution. Roach did not testify in his own defense.

Roach's sentencing hearing was scheduled for June 27 in Vanderburgh County Superior Court.

Aleah Beckerle Trial Coverage:

What we know so far in Aleah Beckerle kidnapping, death trial

Aleah Beckerle trial: ‘I didn’t plan on killing her... she died on her own.’

Aleah Beckerle trial: Terrence Roach won't testify in his own defense

Aleah Beckerle trial: Defense rests, closing arguments to begin this afternoon

Aleah Beckerle trial: Jury released to decide verdict