Jury finds woman guilty of murder in death of her nephew

ATLANTA - A Fulton County jury Tuesday has found Terri Lynn Peterson guilty of murder, cruelty to children and aggravated assault in the death of her five-year-old nephew. <br> <br> The Department of Family and Children Services in 1996 had placed Terrell Peterson in the care of his paternal grandmother -- Pharina Peterson -- because his mother had neglected him. <br> <br> The prosecution said Terrell&#39;s grandmother and aunt starved and abused him because they suspected that he was not the child of their son and brother. <br> <br> Terrell died of cardiac arrest in 1998. He weighed just 29 pounds. <br> <br> The defense had argued that Pharina Peterson was responsible for protecting Terrell not Terri Lynn. Pharina Peterson pleaded guilty in February to charges against her, including murder and cruelty to children. She&#39;s serving life in prison without parole. <br> <br> Terri Lynn Peterson faces life in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for January 10.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/12/186500