An Ash Grove man could face the death penalty, after being convicted Thursday in Greene County Circuit Court of first degree murder for the 2014 killing of Hailey Owens in Springfield.

Craig Wood sits at the defense table in Greene County Circuit Court in October 2017 (photo courtesy of Missourinet Springfield television partner KOLR-10}

The jury deliberated for about an hour on Thursday morning, before convicting 49-year-old Craig Wood.

Reporter Collin Lingo at Missourinet Springfield television partner KOLR-10 says the jury left for deliberation at 10:40 a.m., and returned with the verdict at 11:44 a.m.

Owens was abducted as she was walking home during the day in February 2014.

KOLR-10 reports the penalty phase will begin Friday morning at 9:30, at the Greene County Courthouse. The penalty phase is expected to go into Saturday as well.

Under Missouri law, the only options for a first degree murder conviction are the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

The jury will recommend either death or life in prison without parole to Judge Thomas Mountjoy, who will sentence Wood at a later date.