HOUSTON (KIAH) — The sentencing phase has begun for Tony Earls after he was found guilty of manslaughter in the 2022 shooting death of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez.

A grand jury found Earls guilty after two hours of deliberation on Tuesday.

Prosecutors say Earls and his wife were robbed at gunpoint in the Gulfgate area when the robber took off, and Earls fired at the fleeing suspect. But investigators say the bullet instead hit Arlene in her family's truck.

The conviction carries a punishment of 2 to 20 years in prison.

The original robber was never caught.

CW39's Kara Willis is in the courtroom and is following the testimony.

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