Jury finds Madalina Cojocari's stepfather guilty of failing to report her disappearance – WSOC TV

Madalina was 11 years old when she disappeared in November 2022.

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Madalina's mother, Diana Cojocari, pleaded guilty to failing to report a missing child to law enforcement on May 21 and was released from jail the next day. Last month, her stepfather Christopher Palmiter pleaded not guilty to the same charge.

PALMITER TRIAL:

Palmiter's trial began on May 21. He even came to his defense this week.

The case was sent to the jury before 1 p.m. Friday, after closing arguments.

Palmiter remained motionless as the verdict was read. Twelve of his peers said he had effectively failed to report the disappearance of Madalina Cojocari, who had been missing for 23 days before her mother reported him.

The verdict was welcomed by detectives on the case who are still working to find her.

“We are happy to put this behind us and return our focus to efforts to find Madalina,” Cornelius Deputy Police Chief Jennifer Thompson said.

After the verdict, attorneys discussed Palmiter's sentencing.

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Judge Matthew Osman sentenced Palmiter to a minimum of six months and a maximum of 17 months in prison. Palmiter will have 244 days of credit.

But based on the state's sentencing guidelines, for this type of crime, the judge could not sentence Palmiter to prison based on the seriousness of the crime and the prior history of the crime. accused (Palmiter has none).

Therefore, Osman said the sentence was suspended and Palmiter would serve 30 months of supervised probation, or two and a half years.

Palmiter is expected to appeal the decision.

Deputy Prosecutor Austin Butler simplified the prosecution's case for jurors in an impassioned closing argument.

“She didn’t choose him to be the person she would call dad. He chose her,” Butler said, adding, “It was his role to supervise her and he failed. That's why he's sitting in this seat.

Palmiter's attorney, Brandon Roseman, placed the blame on Madalina's mother, Diana Cojocari.

“Diana was the one who reported her missing and the only one who knew how long she had been missing,” Roseman said. “Chris does not supervise Madalina. Diana made all the decisions for Madi.

But in the end, the jury didn't buy it. After being sentenced, Palmiter and his team left the courthouse Friday evening.

“Mr. Palmiter maintains his innocence. We have filed a notice of appeal. We are disappointed in the decision,” Roseman said.

Even though the trial is over, the biggest question remains: where is Madalina?

(WATCH BELOW: Madalina Cojocari's mother pleads guilty to failing to report her missing)