One Year Later, No Trial Date Set for Hot Car Death Dad

Just over one year since a 2-year-old child was found dead inside his father’s hot car outside Cumberland Mall, there are few answers in the case against the man accused of leaving him there intentionally.

The last time Justin Ross Harris’ name was in the news was back in February, when prosecutors asked Cobb County Judge Mary Staley to prevent any government agencies from releasing any info on the death of 2-year-old Cooper Harris or the pending trial against his father. Staley said the motion was too broad and would not issue a ruling.

Harris still does not have a court date; his defense team told WSB-TV on Friday that they are prepared to go to trial whenever a date is announced. Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds told the station that there could be a trial next year, as there is a mountain of evidence for both sides to comb through as part of the discover process.

Justin Ross Harris was indicted by a grand jury on Sep. 4, 2014 on eight counts relating to the June 18, 2014 death of his son Cooper, who investigators say was left alone in a hot car for seven hours while his father was at work.

WSB-TV obtained the evidence list for Harris’ trial, and notes that there are at least 124 pieces of evidence that could be featured in the proceedings. Some of the evidence includes security camera footage, interviews, and examinations of cell phones and other electronic devices pertinent to the charges.

The prosecution is not required to use all the items it is turning over to the defense, but must provide any evidence which would help prove Harris’ innocence. WSB-TV says that Harris’ defense team wants most of the listed evidence to be excluded from the trial.

Harris pleaded not guilty to all eight counts against him in October.

Prosecutors argued during a July 3 probable cause hearing that Harris wanted a “child-free life.” A detective on the stand noted Harris had been sexting girls, one as young as 17 years old, throughout the day while he was at work.

During 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.

Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds announced in September that the state would not seek the death penalty against Harris if he is convicted.