UPDATE: Cobb DA Speaks On Hot Car Death Murder Indictment

UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds has offered comment on the Thursday indictment of Justin Ross Harris for malice murder in the hot car death of his 22-month-old son Cooper.

Justin Ross Harris was indicted Thursday morning on eight counts related to the June 18 death of Cooper Harris, who was left in a hot car for seven hours while Justin went to work. The grand jury indicted Harris on eight counts: one count of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, one count of cruelty to children in the second degree, one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony (sexual exploitation of children), and two counts of dissemination of harmful materials to minors.

Saying that “the indictment speaks for itself,” Reynolds reminded the reporters at 3 p.m. press conference that he would not allow the case to be tried in the media. He reiterated that ”Mr. Harris is presumed innocent until at such time the State overcomes this burden of proof in court.”

Reynolds added that he was “pleased with the pace and thoroughness of this investigation,” and added that the continuing work of investigators could lead to charges being filed against other people.

Now that he has been indicted, Harris will be arraigned in the chambers of Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary E. Staley within the next three weeks. Reynolds added that his office will decide whether or not they will seek the death penalty against Harris before he appears before Staley.

“We look forward to this case running its course and ultimately justice being served,” Reynolds concluded.

ORIGINAL STORY (11:39 a.m.): The father of a 22-month-old child who died in a hot car in Cobb County in June has been indicted on three counts of murder for the act, the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

Justin Ross Harris was indicted Thursday on eight counts related to the June 18 death of Cooper Harris, who was left in a hot car for seven hours while Justin went to work. The grand jury indicted Harris on eight counts: one count of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, one count of cruelty to children in the second degree, one count of criminal attempt to commit a felony (sexual exploitation of children), and two counts of dissemination of harmful materials to minors.

The last three counts involve Harris’ conduct with a minor he met online. The indictment states that he attempted to solicit photographs of the girl’s privates and sent her sexually explicit photographs and literature.

Harris, who worked at Home Depot’s corporate offices in Cobb County before being fired in July, performed online searches on ways to live a “child-free life,” said police during a July 3 probably cause hearing.

Harris spent seven hours at work at Home Depot while Cooper remained strapped into his rear-facing car seat, police said. They even had video of Harris coming out to the car on his lunch break, putting light bulbs he had bought into the car, and leaving his son inside the car.

Police also testified that Harris was calm and composed during interviews with them, but became agitated when left alone with his wife. Allegedly, Harris told his wife he was worried about losing his job.

During his July 3 testimony, Det. Phil Stoddard noted Harris had two life insurance policies on Cooper’s life and prosecutors argue they’ll show Harris was having financial trouble.

No trial date for Harris has been set yet.