Baby Gabriel Case: Jurors to continue deliberating in trial of missing infant's mother, Elizabeth Johnson
(CBS/AP) PHOENIX - Jurors are expected to continue deliberating Thursday in the trial of Elizabeth Johnson, an Arizona woman charged in the disappearance of her 8-month-old son Gabriel more than two years ago.
PICTURES: Baby Gabriel Johnson Missing
Johnson has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, custodial interference and conspiracy to commit custodial inference in boy's December 2009.
Authorities say Johnson told the boy's father, Logan McQueary, that she killed Gabriel and dumped him in a trash bin in San Antonio, Texas. She later recanted and told police that she gave the baby to a couple at a San Antonio park, but she never provided the couple's names.
Johnson faces up to 27 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Attorneys gave their closing arguments on Tuesday and the jury began deliberating Wednesday morning, according to CBS affiliate KPHO.
Prosecutor Angela Andrews said during closing arguments that Elizabeth Johnson ran off to another state with the child as a way to retaliate against McQueary for ending their tumultuous relationship.
Johnson's defense attorney, Marc Victor, told jurors that although they were probably angry at Johnson, they shouldn't be swayed by their emotions. He described Johnson as an unsophisticated single mother who was under a lot of stress, was in a volatile relationship with the boy's father, and was being manipulated by a woman who wanted to adopt Gabriel.
Victor did not present any evidence during the trial or call any witnesses. He said that prosecutors failed to prove that Johnson kidnapped her son, KPHO reports, but admitted that his client was guilty of custodial interference.
Police don't know if Gabriel is still alive. Johnson faces up to 27 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
