UPDATE: A man accused of murdering a 23-month-old toddler has been convicted of the crime.
After deliberating for just two hours, the jury found Jeremy Howard guilty of first-degree murder.
Howard admitted to police that he threw Kiyla Rose Hosler into the air and kicked her in the back of the head while he was babysitting her.
The jury recommended he serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A sentencing date has not been set.
NORMAN, Okla. – Jury selection has started for the murder trial of a Norman man.
Jeremy Howard is charged with first-degree murder by child abuse after a 23-month-old girl he was caring for died in April of 2013.
Police say Howard was caring for Kiyla Rose Hosler when he became agitated with her.
He admitted to police that he threw the child into the air and kicked her in the back of the head with his steel-toed boot.
He then told authorities he threw the little girl into the corner of the living room sofa, where he left her.
After 30 minutes, he checked on her and realized she wasn’t breathing.
The toddler was pronounced dead at the hospital.
If convicted of the crime, Howard faces up to life in prison.
