LIVE UPDATES: Jury deliberations to continue in Stahli murder trial

KINGSTON — Kenneth Stahli's future is in the hands of the jury, and a verdict may come today.

Follow reporter Nina Schutzman on Facebook or Twitter for live updates.

Jury deliberations will continue today, Friday, in the murder trial of Stahli, accused of killing Mason DeCosmo, 2. The deliberations began at 1:40 p.m. Thursday before they were suspended nearly three hours later. Both sides presented closing arguments on Thursday, followed by Judge Donald Williams' pre-charge conference in which he denied charging Stahli with reckless assault of a child.

The jury will either find Stahli guilty of second-degree murder with depraved indifference or acquit.

Williams explained the law to jurors, including what they can and can't consider in making their decision, in order to remove any ambiguities in deliberations.

In defense attorney Andrew Kossover's closing argument, he said the prosecution hid facts from the jury, such as the criminal history of several witnesses.

"We think you got it," Kossover said. "We think you understand that the people have not provided you with sufficient proof to find Mr. Stahli guilty."

Kossover said there was not enough evidence for second-degree murder, and that it is unfair to target Stahli.

"That's a huge leap to take," Kossover said.

Kaitlin Wolfert, DeCosmo's mother, was a target for much of the statement, as Kossover pointed to Wolfert's interview with investigators, where she said Stahli would never hit her kids.

Kossover also quoted Wolfert, describing Stahli as better at parenting.

Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright told jurors they were responsible for two questions: Was Mason murdered, and did Stahli do it?

He started his argument with the 911 call, before cutting to a picture of Mason's body on the autopsy table.

Carnright focused on the many injuries DeCosmo sustained, using images from the autopsy. Carnright started striking his hands, counting for each bruise on DeCosmo's body, causing an emotional response from the jury, with on juror crying.

"This case is almost unique in its brutality," Carnright said. "It's the nature of this indictment — it's depravity."

Carnright said Stahli was putting on a show for Wolfert and the court.

"It's all a lie," Carnright said. "It's the first look behind the mask."

READ MORE ABOUT THE CASE:http://pojonews.co/stahlitrial