Wright found guilty of child endangerment causing death

After a week-long trial, the jury in the 2013 dog-mauling death of 4-year-old Jordyn Arndt found Jena M. Wright, 26, guilty of child endangerment resulting in death, a Class B felony, and neglect or abandonment of an independent, a Class C felony. The verdict was read at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Jasper County Courthouse.

Wright, who was accused of leaving Arndt unsupervised with her American Staffordshire terrier when it attacked on April 22, 2013, could face up to 35 years. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 13.

Defense Attorney TJ Hier said she was surprised by the verdict and will decide in the coming weeks whether or not an appeal will be made.

"All I can really say in this case is that I don't believe — no matter what the outcome was — there was never going to be a winner," she said.

Both families — including the victim's mother Jessica Arndt — were in attendance during the verdict.

Jury deliberations began 2 p.m. Wednesday, but not before jurors heard from a state rebuttal witness – Kristy Cockerham – who testified she was bitten by the terrier in the defendant's presence. Cockererham is a friend of the defendant and also testified to a conversation with Wright in which the defendant said she thought the dog was aggressive and wanted to get rid of it.

She referred back to a 2010 incident where the canine allegedly bit her wrist when Cockerham was with the now-26-year-old defendant. The witness said bruising and swelling occurred on her arm.

Hier objected to Cockerham's testimony, but District Court Judge Richard Clogg overruled her motion. She also made a motion for a continuance Wednesday, but that was also denied.

Family members of Arndt have been in attendance throughout the trial. During the state's closing argument, Jessica Arndt was noticeably upset as Bennett showed pictures of the 4-year-old. Images of the crime scene and dog were again displayed for the jury, and one juror was seen crying.

Jessica Arndt declined to comment on the verdict.

Wright was allegedly doing a load of laundry when the dog attacked Jordyn Arndt, and Bennett argued she put the 4-year-old in danger when the 4-year-old was left unsupervised.

He used the analogy — when there are sharks, you don't put swimmers in the water.

"The lifeguard chair was empty that day," he said.

During Hier's closing argument, the defense attorney said her client had no reason to believe the dog would attack the 4-year-old.

"She did not place (Jordyn Arndt) in a hazard or danger because she did not have knowledge," Hier said.

She also resurfaced testimony from a state witness who said "accidents happen" while on stand and argued this was an accident that was unforeseeable.

Following more than four hours of deliberation, the jury ultimately disagreed and hammered down a guilty verdict Thursday.

"At this point all I can do is thank the jury for their verdict," Bennett said.

Wright was also found guilty on misdemeanor charges of assault on a peace officer causing bodily injury and interference with official acts.

Contact Alex Olp at aolp@newtondailynews.com