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CNN Live Today

Yosemite Killer Convicted

Aired August 27, 2002 - 11:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: More than three years after a woman and her daughter and a family friend were killed during a visit to Yosemite National Park, a former handyman has been convicted of their murders. Cary Stayner could be facing the death penalty now.
Teo Torres of our affiliate KRON reports now from San Jose, California.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it was the right verdict. I think it's about time that -- you know, we are getting somewhere -- to ending this nightmare.

TEO TORRES, KRON CORRESPONDENT: Victims' family members were relieved after hearing the jury's verdict. Cary Stayner was found guilty of three counts of first degree murder. It has been three years since tourists Carole Sund, her daughter Juli, and friend Silvina Pelosso were killed by motel handyman Cary Stayner at Yosemite National Park.

CAROLE CARRINGTON, CAROLE SUND'S MOTHER: It is a vindication of our feeling that this is definitely a death penalty case, and that it was a horrendous crime, and that we get justice for our girls.

TORRES: The defense hoped for a lighter conviction to avoid the death penalty, but after deliberating for just five hours, the verdict was read as Stayner stood stone-faced. Still, during the seven-week trial, defense painted Stayner as insane. The prosecution insisted the murders were calculated, pointing to the fact that Stayner carried a murder kit, complete with a gun and rope.

C. CARRINGTON: I think we all feel somewhat relieved. We will feel more relief when we get through the other two phases of the trial.

TORRES: The next part of the trial, the sanity phase which begins on Wednesday. The defense must prove Stayner did not know what he was doing when he killed the three women, thus making him ineligible for the death penalty. The prosecution and family members are confident the jury will find Stayner sane.

FRANCIS CARRINGTON, CAROLE SUND'S FATHER: My personal feeling is, he knew exactly what he was doing when he did it. He covered it up. He is planning his kit. Everything was planned.

(END VIDEOTAPE) HARRIS: And that was Teo Torres of our affiliate KRON filing that report.

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