Update: After deliberating for three hours, jurors found Aubrey Trail guilty of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the killing of Sydney Loofe.
The family of Loofe attended today's trial and walked out in tears after hearing the verdict. The prosecutor also was seen hugging family and friends of Loofe as well as the law enforcement who worked on the case.
Trail's defense attorney Joe Murray congratulated the prosecution after the verdict was read.
Phase 2 of the trial will start on Thursday. Jurors will decide if this case meets the aggravating factors to make it a death penalty case. The jurors will remain sequestered until tomorrow.
The Attorney General's Office released a statement saying it was pleased with the verdict.
"At this time, we want to thank the following law enforcement agencies for a thorough investigation, professionalism, and support: FBI, Lincoln Police Department, Saline County Sheriff, Saline County Attorney, Clay County Sheriff and the Nebraska State Patrol. We offer our sympathy again to the Loofe family, hoping our system of justice provides some form of solace to them for their loss of their daughter Sydney."
Loofe's family, friends and coworkers are also credited for helping to solve this case. Loofe sent a friend a picture of Bailey Boswell, a woman she had gone on a date with shortly before her disappearance. That photo led law enforcement to Trail and Boswell ere in a hotel in Branson.
Aubrey Trail is found guilty of 1st Degree Murder for the 2017 death of Sydney Loofe of Lincoln.
The jury deliberated for 2 1/2 hours Wednesday afternoon. They received the case at 4 p.m., just after closing arguments were delivered.
The prosecution described Loofe's death as a planned and targeted killing carried out by two people.
The defense argued that Trail admitted to killing Loofe but it was an accident during a sexual fantasy. His defense also argued that Trail's actions following Loofe's death were too erratic to be planned.
12 jurors decided Trail's fate. We will have more details as they become available.