Courtroom stunned by jury's decision

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Those inside Erie County Court on Wednesday let out an audible gasp as the jury returned not guilty verdicts against the five most serious charges Dr. James Corasanti was facing.

News 4's Rachel Kingston was inside when the verdict was rendered. She reports the following:

It was almost like the entire courtroom was too stunned to react when the verdict was first read. Expressionless faces and a couple of gasps in the courtroom and a friend of the Rice family, one person, did get up and walk out of the courtroom, shaking his head.

A couple of the Amherst Police officers who were there got up and left the courtroom without a word. I think this is still kind of sinking in for everyone and that shock and disbelief is really the most overwhelming feeling right now.

More on the conclusion of the trial:

>> Find full details of the jury's decision here

>> Hear reaction from prosecutors, who say the jury must have bought Corasanti's testimon y

>> See reaction from Corasanti's defense team

>> The community gathered at Alix Rice's memorial after the decisio n

>> News 4 legal analyst and former DA surprised by jury's decision