A Grundy County jury deliberated for less than two hours before finding Michelle Kehoe guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and child endangerment causing injury.

As a crowded courtroom waited for the jury to enter, Kehoe wiped her eyes with a tissue, hands trembling. Members of her family sat forward, hands clenched in front of them, heads bowed. Sobbing could be heard.

As First-district Judge Bruce Zager read the verdict, more family members broke into tears.

“Such great sadness,” said BJ Franklin, the family’s victims advocate. “That’s how the family sums up the situation.”

She delivered the statement on behalf of the Kehoe family, who have requested privacy.

Iowa Assistant Attorney General Andrew Prosser, who worked with Buchanan County attorney Al Vander Hart on the case, said the case was difficult for all involved.

“I think the jury had a touch job to do,” Prosser said. “I think they did their duty.”

Kehoe’s attorney, public defender Andrea Dryer had no comment.

Thursday opened with both parties’ closing arguments before the case was submitted to the jury. The defense admitted that Kehoe did everything the prosecution accused her of. Kehoe killed her 2-year-old son and tried to injure her 7-year-old son by binding them with duct tape and cutting their necks on Oct. 26, 2008, near Littleton, Iowa. She then cut her own throat.

But Dryer had argued Kehoe is not criminally responsible due to insanity.

Sentencing will be Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Buchanan County Courthouse.