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Jury Returns Verdict In Girl Scout Murder Case

POSTED: 4:22 pm EDT October 26, 2005
UPDATED: 6:22 pm EDT October 26, 2005

The jury deliberating the case of two brothers accused of raping and killing an 11-year-old Girl Scout has returned with a verdict.

A jury Wednesday found James and Timothy O'Brien guilty of second- and third-degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping in the 1992 rape and murder of Shauna Howe.

Jurors, however, acquitted the brothers of the most serious first-degree murder charge, as well as a charge of rape.

Earlier Wednesday, the jury asked the judge to explain the charges against the men.

Venango County Judge Oliver Lobaugh explained to them the seven charges against James and Timothy O'Brien. The jurors also wanted to know if they could take notes on the charges, but Lobaugh told them no.

The jury deliberated about 13 hours Tuesday and Wednesday before asking for the explanation.

Howe, from Oil City, was kidnapped on her way home from a Girl Scouts Halloween party in Oil City on Oct. 27, 1992..

The case has been under investigation for 12 years.

A massive search was conducted.

Just three days later, her battered body was found in a creek eight miles away.

Officials in Oil City still hold trick-or-treating during daylight hours because of Howe's disappearance and death.

Related:
October 2, 2005: Jury Selection To Begin In Shauna Howe Murder Case
July 2, 2004: Brothers Charged With Oil City Girl's Death
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