Jury Deliberating Sentence in Day Care Fire Trial

By: Associated Press

Updated: Mon 11:51 AM, Nov 19, 2012

HOUSTON -- A prosecutor tells jurors a Texas woman doomed the children in her home day care when she left them alone to go shopping before a deadly fire broke out.

Jurors in Houston began deliberating the sentence of Jessica Tata after closing arguments in her trial's punishment phase Monday.

Tata could be sentenced to up to life in prison. Tata was convicted last week of felony murder in the death of 16-month-old Elias Castillo.

Prosecutor Connie Spence is asking for a life sentence, saying the families of the children who died or were injured will never be the same.

Defense attorney Mike DeGeurin says Tata is a good person who made a terrible mistake. He asked jurors to not be swayed by anger.

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