DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — China Arnold, the Dayton woman accused of killing her 28-day-old daughter in a microwave oven, was convicted of aggravated murder Friday, Aug. 29.

The jury reported its verdict to Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Mary Wiseman just before 2 p.m. The jury started deliberating Thursday afternoon but broke off about 5:30 p.m. The jurors, who were sequestered in a hotel Thursday night, resumed deliberations at 9 a.m.

Arnold's first trial ended in a mistrial.

Arnold showed little emotion as the verdict was read, but was weeping as sheriff's deputies led her out of the courtroom. Some of her supporters began to sob, a few of them leaving the courtroom immediately after the verdict was read.

Wiseman released the jurors from their sequestration, but told them to return to the courtroom on Tuesday, when the trial's second phase starts.

The next phase, known as the sentencing phase, will deal with whether Arnold will face the death penalty. Wiseman will sentence Arnold, but cannot sentence her to death if the jury does not recommend it. However, the judge could reject a death recommendation and impose a prison sentence.

Arnold's daughter, Paris Talley, was pronounced dead Aug. 30, 2005 at Children's Medical Center.

Arnold, 28, her four children and her then-boyfriend Terrell Talley lived at 415 Hall Ave. in the now-condemned Parkside Homes public housing complex.