A Mind For Murder

Does A Beloved Professor Have A Mind For Murder?

(CBS)  For the Ross family, however, waiting for the jury to decide is one of the hardest parts of the trial. "If he is found innocent, then my heart will be broken again," says Danny Ross. "Because we'll have to give our granddaughter to him."

It's been nearly a year and a half since Carmin was murdered - and the fate of the accused murderer now rests with the jury. They jury has only circumstantial evidence to consider against Murray. There's no wiggle room for the jurors -either they have to convict Murray of first-degree murder or set him free.

But Murray's life is not the only one at stake. If he's acquitted, the Ross family would have to give him Ciara. It's the worst-case scenario the Rosses hope they'll never face.

"My daughter was killed, and we can't bring her back," says Danny Ross. "But having my granddaughter raised in a proper environment is what my daughter would have wanted. And that's the most important thing to our family."

It took five weeks to present all the evidence, and the jury took its time going through it all. After three days of deliberation, a verdict was reached on St. Patrick's Day: Murray was found guilty of murder in the first degree.

Carmin's family was overwhelmed by the verdict. "For so long, it has been all about this process, coming to an end today," says Carmin's sister, April. "And that we have Ciara. She's safe. Now, I can really mourn for Carmin."

It was also an emotional victory for the prosecution. "There was just so much emotion around this case, and around the family," says Wilson. "It's been very good to be included in the family fold. I joked early on that I was an honorary Ross girl."

"I'm convinced that this is a domestic violence-related homicide," says Lima, who remembers Carmin by volunteering with domestic violence victims at the Family Justice Center in San Diego.

However, it will be a little harder for the Ross family, who once considered Murray a son and a brother.

"It's a very confusing, conflicting feeling," says April. "Because I have no doubt it was his hands that hurt her. But I don't know what happened to his head."

She adds: "How am I supposed to explain to my kids, when I don't get it - and to his daughter?"

There will be no explanation from Murray, who insisted he was innocent, even at his sentencing: "I have never raised my hand in anger against anyone - not ever."

He also showed a rare display of emotion for his daughter: "Since I can't be with you, I'm glad you're living with people who love you very much."

Ciara is now 9 and lives with the Ross family at home in Indiana.

"I asked her, 'Are you worried about who's going to take care of you?'" asks Carmin's sister, Heather. "And she said, 'No, I'm glad I have my family to take care of me.' She's got an entire family that adores her, and would do anything for her. We'll take care of her. Together, we will take care of her."

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Tom Murray was sentenced to life in prison. He'll be eligible for parole when he's 73.

The Kansas Supreme Court denied Murray’s appeal in January.

Carmin's sister, Heather, adopted Ciara in August 2006.

[mntocogirl]

I am completely appalled by the first poster''s (jabailo) comments! First & foremost there is never any justification for taking another persons life! PERIOD! Second comparing a man''s violent actions to a bull or a tiger is about as ludicrous a comparison as you could find. We are not animals sir - we are humans & thus are expected to act in a far superior manner than we expect of a bull. Additionally this man was not being held captive in this marriage - if he felt it was so terrible & he was being treated so badly then stop being such a wimp - stand up for yourself - show some pride and walk away!

[nellybean3]

I honestly cannot believe the 2 post that I just read. Clearly you are blaming this woman for her own death. Everyone are responsible for their own actions. Just like you read that she met someone and started an affair, I am sure you read that AFTER she became pregnant, her husband started treating her like ***. She met someone else, fell in love and decided to divorce her husband. SHE MOVED ON! He needed to get over it. He was upset by the fact that he no longer had control over their relationship and her life. Since he did not want to have a baby and "THEY" got pregnant, he decided he lost control - so he gained control by treating her poorly. Once she gained power over that and decided to divorce him, he decided he now wanted something to do with their daughter - just to dig at her. When she decided not to move away to California but instead move 90 miles away, he was pissed by that. You guys don''t know what he did or why she felt that she needed to move away from him. As you know, she was no longer his spouse when she decided to move Lima in with her - which is her right and her choice. And I hardly feel the ex husband was so called "pushed over the edge" and killed her because he was investigating it on the computer. You guys don''t know how her behavior was to him nor his to her - you were not there. You simply read a typed summary which spanned in real life 18 years of marriage.

[graceesmom]

This is a sad case. I feel for the family and the child of the victim. I also feel for Murray in a way. People handle emotional distress differently. I mean it must be quite a blow for someone to tell their spouse that they will be moving out to live with another person and will be taking their child with them. But Carmins father says she would have never left Murray. Well she did. She didn''t go all the way to California but she did leave and with their daughter. You know the people suffering is the families. I guess some people get ruthless when the feel that they dont really know what to do. Murray could have probably gotten custody because there was another man she was involved with. I know that some states see it that way. I hope Ciara has a wonderful life even if it is without both of her parents. A shame that her father took her mothers life. Bless her heart.

[jabailo]

So, what we have here is another O.J.

A man driven to an insane rage...but why?

If a person goes in front of a bull and waves a red cape is it any wonder they get gored? If you taunt a tiger in its cage, and it comes after you -- who is to blame.

The family and the wife in this story were completely disingenuous. Clearly, the wife was selfish. Although he was the primary bread winner as she flitted through various "careers" he seemed to stick by her. She seemed to do what she wanted, when she wanted...and when she was done with him, she cast him aside, walked all over him and shoved a new lover in his face.

It doesn''t justify murder, by really, people have to take account of what drives other people. Her behavior was that of a person who was just as cold-blooded to him as he ended up being to her.