PALMER — Gina Jones and Jason McDonnell face at least a year in prison for the heatstroke death of a dog they left in a stolen van last year.
A Palmer jury convicted both of felony animal cruelty in a decision announced Monday.
The case centered on a 12-year-old golden retriever named Flash that was found dead inside the van near Wasilla three days after its owner reported it missing in July 2016.
[Valley duo arrested in van theft that led to dog's death]
The five-day trial, which began last week, attracted attention for its combination of property crime and a dog's suffering. The courtroom gallery was full each day with supporters of what they called "Justice for Flash."
Alaska State Troopers say the van was stolen July 10 from Fireweed Road and found nearby on July 13, with Flash dead from heatstroke inside.
A Palmer jury deliberated for about 2 1/2 hours Friday before returning a verdict around 3 p.m., according to Melissa Howard, the assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case. But because the courthouse closes Friday afternoons, the verdict wasn't actually read until Monday morning.
The jury convicted the 37-year-old Jones of first-degree vehicle theft and felony animal cruelty, along with second-degree theft and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.
McDonnell, 36, was convicted of felony animal cruelty. He had already entered guilty pleas to the other charges.
Both face presumptive terms of one to three years in prison under state sentencing guidelines, Howard said.
Mark Thompson, Flash's owner, offered a $500 reward for the dog's return before the van was found. The wanted poster said, "Owner doesn't care about the van just wants his dog home."
Howard said in an email that the verdict won't give Thompson his dog back, but she hoped it would provide "some closure and peace."
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 5.