Closing arguments have ended. Prosecutors left the jury with a image of 9-yr-old Arlene, smiling & full of life, in a photo taken the morning she was killed. They described how the bullet entered right side of her head & caused her death. The jury now begins deliberations. KHOU 11 News Houston

The jury has reached a verdict just 1 hour after deliberations began. They’re calling attorneys & the Alvarez family back into the courtroom. Tony Earls facing a manslaughter charge in the death of 9-yr-old Arlene Alvarez. If convicted, he could face up to 20 yrs in prison KHOU 11 News Houston

Family of Arlene Alvarez has just arrived in court… we expect the jury to come out shortly with their decision. KHOU 11 News Houston

BREAKING: The jury has reached a verdict just 1 our after deliberations began… Tony Earls has been found GUILTY of manslaughter in death of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez. Jurors… 8 men & 4 women…Earls now faces up to 20 years in prison, and the jury will decide his sentence.KHOU 11 News Houston

The punishment phase is underway in Tony Earls’ trial. He was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez & faces up to 20 years in prison. Arlene’s mother is expected to testify... Earls may take the stand as well. KHOU 11 News Houston

On the stand now... A store owner from MLK Blvd where Tony Earls allegedly pointed a gun at his stepson & it was caught on camera. This incident, from a year after Arlene Alvarez’s death, is being presented as part of the punishment phase. Trial in that case was delayed. KHOU 11 News Houston

On the stand now... An HPD family violence sergeant is testifying in the punishment phase of Tony Earls’ trial. She’s sharing details from her interview with Earls’ stepson the victim in a separate aggravated assault to a family member case. KHOU 11 News Houston

Punishment phase of Tony Earls’ trial continues Arlene Alvarez’s mother is on stand. Fighting through emotion, she shares, “She was my best friend.” She described the devastating impact her 9-yr-old daughter’s death has had on their family & their lives. KHOU 11 News Houston

Tony Earls is on the stand, testifying in the punishment phase of his trial. The defense is questioning him about being the victim in at least four prior robberies. He's also recounting the night 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez was shot and killed. KHOU 11 News Houston

In tears on the stand, Tony Earls said he wants to speak to the Alvarez family and ask for their forgiveness. “I pray and ask God for forgiveness… for the mistakes and decisions I made.” This comes during the punishment phase of his trial. KHOU 11 News Houston

On the stand now.... Tony Earls’ father testifies during the punishment phase, telling the jury: “My son is not the monster they’ve created him out to be.” He also offered remorse and condolences to Arlene Alvarez’s family for their loss. KHOU 11 News Houston

We’re back in court for the punishment phase of the Tony Earls trial. Judge Danilo Lacayo will read the charges, then both sides give closing arguments. The jury will decide his sentence for manslaughter in Arlene Alvarez’s death where he faces up to 20 years. KHOU 11 News Houston

Prosecutors have begun closing arguments in the punishment phase of the Tony Earls trial. They told the jury that probation would be “offensive and egregious” for the killing of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez and are asking for the maximum sentence of 20-years for manslaughter. KHOU 11 News Houston

Defense closing arguments now underway in the Tony Earls trial. They argue this is “not an eye for an eye” case & say adrenaline may have played a role. They ask jurors to see Earls as human, with no high school education & carries a gun due to neighborhood where he lives. KHOU 11 News Houston

Tears streamed down the faces of Arlene Alvarez’s family as prosecutors closed their case. They told jurors, “Arlene will never have her first kiss… her first love… her family will never walk her down the aisle.” An emotional end to closing arguments. KHOU 11 News Houston

The jury has reached a decision in the punishment phase of the Tony Earls trial, in the death of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez. We expect to hear the verdict in the next 10–15 minutes. KHOU 11 News Houston

20 years. That’s the sentence the jury handed down to Tony Earls after just over an hour of deliberation for the manslaughter of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez. KHOU 11 News Houston

We’re at the Toyota Center for a concert… And staff here tell us that AXS is having a worldwide outage. KHOU 11 News Houston

6 bodies found in Houston bayous in recent weeks. City leaders say rumors are spreading but there's no evidence of a serial killer. A community meeting is set for Tuesday to separate fact from fear. The story coming up on KHOU 11 News Houston

🗑️ A downtown Houston man turned his old law office into his home… But now, no one will pick up his trash... Watch the full story tonight on KHOU 11 News Houston at 10.