SPOKANE-- A 12 person jury found 20-year-old Christopher Harris guilty of 2nd degree manslaughter Wednesday.
Harris is accused of bringing a bomb to a Chattaroy party last year. The bomb exploded and killed Cody Hathaway.
They jury came to a verdict around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday after nearly a day of deliberation.
Both the defense and the prosecution went back and forth on how much risk was involved in bringing a bomb to that party and what the defendant knew about the potential for it to explode before he showed up that night.
Officials say Harris brought three explosive devices to the party that night. The prosecution emphasized the significance of bringing more than one bomb, even though the victim died from a single bomb.
Officials say the explosive devices were lit during the party. A piece of the bomb hitHathaway in the neck. He died within minutes.
The defense argued that Harris doesn't deserve the current charge because he didn't actually set off the bombs. Prosecutor Dale Nagy brought up a conversation Harris had with someone else to underline the defendant's awareness of the crime.
A mistrial was declared when Harris and his friend, James Crouchman, were tried together for manslaughter.
Defense attorney James Kirkham again pointed out that his client did not take the final act in causing the victim's death.
'It's uncontested that James Crouchman lit off the first [bomb], the second one and the third one.' James Kirkham said.
The prosecution concluded Harris knew enough about the potential danger to be guilty of the present charge.
The defense concluded Harris was not responsible for the unfortunate death of Hathaway.
James Crouchman was scheduled to go on trial Dec. 27, but officials say he will plead guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor crime.
