Murder Conviction Overturned in Georgia Hot Car Death Case

Murder Conviction Overturned in Georgia Hot Car Death Case
Justin Ross Harris listens during his trial at the Glynn County Courthouse in Brunswick, Ga., on Oct. 3, 2016. Stephen B. Morton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP/Pool
|Updated:
0:00

ATLANTA—Georgia’s highest court on Wednesday overturned the murder and child cruelty convictions against a man whose toddler son died after he left him in a hot car for hours, saying the jury saw evidence that was “extremely and unfairly prejudicial.”

Justin Ross Harris, 41, was convicted in November 2016 on eight counts including malice murder in the death of his 22-month-old son, Cooper. A judge sentenced him to life without parole as well as 32 more years in prison for other crimes.