California lady convicted of murdering stepfather after she discovered nude images of herself on his laptop

A California inside designer was convicted of first-degree homicide Wednesday after prosecutors stated she killed her butterfly conservationist stepfather when she discovered nude images of herself on his laptop.

Because the San Diego County jury learn its verdict in opposition to Jade Sasha Janks, the 39-year-old Solana Seashore resident’s eyes widened and he or she gave the impression to be in surprised disbelief as she turned towards her protection lawyer.

Janks, who had been free on bail, was instantly taken into custody and faces between 25 years to life in jail for the slaying of 64-year-old Thomas Merriman, co-founder of Butterfly Farms in Encinitas.

Deputy District Legal professional Jorge Del Portillo thanked jurors for his or her verdict.

“They have been wonderful and affected person and sort and attentive all through this complete trial and we’re simply completely happy we achieved some justice for Tom and his household,” the prosecutor informed reporters outdoors of the courtroom in Vista.

Merriman was killed on Dec. 31, 2020, not lengthy after Janks discovered the compromising images on Merriman’s laptop.

Janks drugged Merriman after which suffocated him with a plastic bag and choked him to dying, prosecutors stated. A textual content message Janks despatched to an acquaintance the day of Merriman’s dying, and proven to jurors, learn: “I simply dosed the hell out of him.”

Janks’ protection insisted Merriman died from poor well being and his personal power drug abuse. Merriman’s official reason for dying was listed as an overdose of prescription sleep medicine.

Protection lawyer Marc Carlos stated he is evaluating all avenues for enchantment. He conceded that textual content messages Janks despatched have been pivotal within the jury’s determination to convict his shopper.

Jurors additionally rejected lesser costs akin to manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter, which may have allowed a decide to think about mitigating circumstances at sentencing.

Because it stands now, Janks is dealing with a compulsory 25 to life when she’s subsequent in court docket on April 3.

“The explanation why Jade went to trial was she believed she was not responsible of this factor and that is been her place by way of the entire case,” Carlos informed NBC Information on Thursday.

Carlos stated he understood his shopper’s surprised response to the responsible verdict.

“It is only a surreal state of affairs to be in,” the protection lawyer stated. “When the jury walks in, palms the notice to the decide, the decide reads the notice after which the notice goes over to the clerk and the clerk begins to learn it, it is like an eternity. So it has numerous psychological stress.”