IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Tampa Military Mom Julie Schenecker Convicted of Killing Her Teens

A former Florida Army officer's wife has been convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of her teenagers, with jurors rejecting her insanity plea.
Image: Julie Schenecker is led into Judge Emmett Lamar Battles' courtroom on Thursday for closing arguments.
Julie Schenecker is led into Judge Emmett Lamar Battles' courtroom on Thursday, May 15, 2014, for closing arguments in her murder trial. Schenecker, 53, is accused of killing her two teenage children Calyx, 16, and Beau, 13, in 2011.Daniel Wallace / Tampa Bay Times Pool via AP

A former Florida Army officer's wife has been convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of her teenagers, with jurors rejecting her insanity plea.

Jurors on Thursday found 53-year-old Julie Schenecker guilty of killing both her 13-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter in Tampa in 2011.

After daylong closing arguments Thursday, jurors started talking at about 4:45 p.m. and at about 6:30 it was announced they had a verdict.

Prosecutors say she was sane when she killed her children.

The defense argued she suffered from years of mental illness and was legally insane during the time of the killings.

Schenecker wiped her nose and eyes, then the bailiffs handcuffed her. She started to cry.

Sentencing was expected to soon follow and she faces a mandatory life sentence.

Image: Julie Schenecker is led into Judge Emmett Lamar Battles' courtroom on Thursday for closing arguments.
Julie Schenecker is led into Judge Emmett Lamar Battles' courtroom on Thursday, May 15, 2014, for closing arguments in her murder trial. Schenecker, 53, is accused of killing her two teenage children Calyx, 16, and Beau, 13, in 2011.Daniel Wallace / Tampa Bay Times Pool via AP

- The Associated Press