Jurors deliberate Fla. missing foster child case

Topics: From the Wires,

MIAMI (AP) — Jurors in Miami have begun deliberating the fate of Geralyn Graham, who is accused of killing 4-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson more than a decade ago.

Jurors went behind closed doors Thursday after receiving instructions from Circuit Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez. The trial has lasted two months and involved dozens of witnesses.

Prosecutors say the 67-year-old Graham smothered Rilya in late 2000 and disposed of her body, which has never been found. The defense has focused on the possibility that Rilya might be alive and might have been sold to someone else. Graham insists she is innocent.

Rilya’s disappearance wasn’t discovered for 15 months, leading to resignations at the Department of Children and Families and passage of reform laws.

If convicted, Graham faces up to life in prison.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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