A jury in Wausau convicted a serial arsonist Thursday night on murder, theft and burglary charges. The jury deliberated for five hours before returning their verdict against 41-year-old Kevin Zarm . "They (jurors) brought back . . probably over forty exhibits," said defense attorney Lee Leverton. "I think they were considering the case, they listened to Kevin's side. They just didn't believe it." Leverton indicated there might be an appeal but conceded it would be tough.
Marathon County D-A Jill Falstad, though, does expect an appeal. "Every case of this magnitude is going to face scrutiny on appeal," Falstad said. Falstad said the verdict brings closure to the victim's family and the Wausau community. Prosecutors had said Zarm used the same pattern in committing the arsons in the summer of 2003 that he used in killing 84 year-old Sylvia Grade that September. Zarm faces a mandatory life prison term when he's sentenced. [WSAU's Matt Lehman contributed this story]