ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Nickolas Stephenson spent much of the day Thursday sitting on a bench beside a bailiff in the Buncombe County Courthouse as a jury began deliberating his fate.
Stephenson, accused of first-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of his 12-week-old daughter, Riley Stephenson.
The trial featured testimony from 911 dispatchers, first responders, investigators, forensic experts, a pediatrician and a pathologist. Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday, and Judge George C. Bell instructed the jury Thursday morning before sending them to deliberate…