Family members of Toni Henthorn said they’re ecstatic with a jury’s verdict Monday afternoon, after Toni’s husband was found guilty of killing her. Toni fell to her death off of a cliff in Rocky Mountain National Park in 2012. Prosecutors said in court that her murder was a scheme for Henthorn to secure $4.5 million in life insurance policies.
"Harold Henthorn's love was lethal," said relative Grace Rishell.
Members of the jury felt the same way; they deliberated for just hours after getting the case Friday.
Toni’s brother Barry Bartolet said, "we think a life has been saved by this verdict," he said. "I think he's lived in a fairy tail land for his entire life."
Background: Prosecutors say Henthorn gave contradictory statements
An emotional moment happened moments after the verdict was read between Toni’s mom and a juror.
“I appreciated it very much,” Yvonne Bertolet said after hugging this juror. “And she just said, ‘As one mom to another, I feel your pain.’”
Family members appeared relieved and satisfied as they left court. Relatives will move to adopt the couple's daughter, they announced outside of court.
Sentencing happens Dec. 8. The family and prosecutors are pushing for a life sentence.
Family members of Henthorn’s first wife said they’re also satisfied with the verdict, and hope it helps their case. Sandra Lynn Henthorn died changing a tire in 1995. She was crushed when the Jeep slipped off a jack.
Prosecutors say there are questions to be answered, including why Henthorn "oddly turned away another car that offered to shine its lights on the scene."