Jury still finds Tavares guilty

A judge will formally sentence Lonnie Ray Tavares on March 2.

Under the jury's direction issued Monday, Tavares, 24, must serve at least 20 years before he becomes eligible for release.

Prosecutors said Tavares suffocated 11-week-old Chela Tavares in January 1998 because he didn't like the baby's crying.

He was convicted and sentenced by a different jury last year, but a mistrial was declared and a new trial ordered when officials found evidence of juror misconduct.

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