Zinah Jennings Found Guilty, Sentenced to 10 Years

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The jury in the trial of Zinah Jennings, mother of missing Midlands toddler Amir Jennings, found her guilty Friday morning. The jury of 8 women and 4 men deliberated for just under 3 hours. Jennnings was found guilty on the charge of Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child in connection with the disappearance of her now 2 year old son, Amir Jennings. Amir Jennings is still missing today. The trial spanned two weeks, ending with the verdict and sentencing, Friday. Jennings’ defense attorney Hemphill Pride, II spoke on her behalf. “Please don’t give this girl 10 years,” says Pride. Zinah’s mother Jocelyn Jennings also spoke for her daughter. “Zinah Jennings came home a loving mother, planning for the future,” says Jennings. Jocelyn went on to say that she realized something was wrong and tried to get Zinah help. She also said she believes Amir is still alive. “She is not well, but without her at this point Amir could be anywhere,” says Jennings. Jocelyn ended by saying she would not stop looking for Amir. Judge Knox McMahon had this to say about the one he considers the main victim in the case, ” There is 1 innocent person here, 1 blameless person, 1 person who cannot fend for themselves in the world we live in and that is Amir Jennings,” says McMahon. Judge McMahon sentenced Zinah Jennings to 10 years in prison. She will get credit for the 9 months she has already served at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Richland County.