Woman sentenced to life in prison for murdering her 6-year-old son

UPDATE: A woman who was convicted last week of murdering her 6-year-old son will spend the rest of her life in prison.

29-year-old Julissa Thaler learned her future Thursday morning for the death of Eli Hart in Hennepin County court.

There will be no possibility for parole, per state law. No fines or fees were implemented.

After victim impact statements were read during her 9 a.m. sentencing hearing, Judge Jay Quam asked Thaler if she wanted to speak.

“I’m innocent, f*** you all, you’re all garbage,” Thaler stated.

She was then led from the courtroom by law enforcement.

After the hearing, Josie Josephson, the wife of Eli’s father, briefly spoke to reporters outside the courthouse and said she wasn’t surprised by Thaler’s outburst in the courtroom.

She also thanked the justice system, but now wants to move on and remember Eli now that the case is done.

“The Eli Hart Foundation has been established,” said Josephson. “We’re currently working on building a park in Surfside Park in Mound. I just got the renderings – the first ones – and it’s an amazing park that Eli would love.”

RELATED: Community members raising money for playground, honoring boy who was killed

She also added it will be a place many other families to make memories.

“We’re going to start, start to heal as much as we can at this point,” said Josephson.

Her statements in full can be watched at the bottom of this article.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office also issued the following statement after Thursday’s sentencing hearing:

“We now have legal closure on this heartbreaking tragedy. But nothing will ever fill the void in the world that Eli left behind. I hope his family can slowly move forward and eventually find some level of peace.”

Mary Moriarty, the Hennepin County Attorney

A previous version of this report can be found below.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reporter Eric Chaloux will have reaction to the sentencing hearing Thursday evening.

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INITIAL REPORT: A woman who was found guilty just last week of murdering her six-year-old son last summer will learn her future Thursday.

Julissa Thaler, 29, was found guilty of first and second-degree murder in the death of Eli Hart following a jury trial last Wednesday. As previously reported, jurors deliberated for less than two hours following closing arguments.

Thaler’s sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Thursday. Per Minnesota law, a first-degree murder sentence carries an automatic life term in prison with no possibility of parole. 

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS will be in the courtroom and will provide updates as they become available.

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