S-R reporter Meghann Cuniff saw the emotional scene in the elevator lobby of the federal courthouse, where tearful jurors shook the hand of Steven Groene, father of the victim, while he thanked the jurors. “You made the right decision – don’t ever think you didn’t,” Groene told the jurors. “My family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.” He told them he was sorry they had to watch the graphic video of his son’s abuse. “I sure hope the government is offering you guys some counseling,” the father said. “I refused it for a long time, and when I eventually did it, it helped a lot.” Most of the jurors were in tears, Cuniff reported, as they, one after another, shook Groene’s hand, telling him over and over again how sorry they were for what happened to his son.

---

---