Verdict Reached in Rodney Reaves Trial

Wednesday, jurors found Rodney Reaves guilty of four counts of cruelty to children and one count of murder/aggravated battery. The Henry County man was accused in the 2003 beating death of his daughter, Joella.

The jury found Reaves not guilty of malice murder or felony murder.

When we last saw murder suspect Rodney Reaves, he was lashing out against prosecutors.

Prosecutors said the former navy recruiter and his wife Charlott tied up Reaves' daughter Joella in the garage of the family's Stockbridge home and beat the 11-year-old for five days.

Reaves' lawyer puts the blame on the step wife, saying his client was out of town during some of the time when the alleged beating happened.

The defense admits Reaves helped his wife spank Joella in the past but claims he wasn't around when the fatal blows were delivered.

However, prosecutors maintain Reaves not only knew what was taking place in the garage but also participated in the murder of his own daughter.

Charlott Reaves has also been charged in connection with Joella's death. Her trial is scheduled for April.