Cox found guilty of involuntary manslaughter

Friday , jurors spent seven hours deliberating in the trial of Tanner Cox. Saturday morning they found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Amy Olzack said, “They miss their dad a lot. He was a huge part of our life. He was… he was an everyday dad.”

Police said Josh Olzack was beaten to death during a road rage incident May 9 .

“I think that there is still coping and trying to find some peace as well,” Amy Olzack said.

Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Clark said, “Murder requires a malicious intent. We didn’t feel that the conduct here rose to that level.”

Cox made the comment in his own testimony that he lunged at Josh Olzack, and that when he fell “it didn’t sound good.” The autopsy shows Josh Olzack suffered blunt force trauma and fractures on both sides of his skull.

“I held him and was trying to talk to him to see if he would wake up and he wouldn’t wake up,” Cox said.

“We found that he had engaged in unlawful conduct that caused death,” Clark said. “That was the theme of the case. That’s ultimately what the jury found.”

Josh Olzack’s family made this statement in regard to the verdict:
“We wanted to thank the community for their continued support and the jury for their service. This couldn’t have been easy. All that we’ve wanted is an acknowledgement that this behavior is not acceptable and we got that today . This has been a terrible tragedy not just for us but for the Cox family as well. We hope that everyone can begin to heal.”

Cox is being held in lieu of $200,000 bond. His sentencing hearing will be Feb. 3 after a mental health evaluation and a substance abuse assessment.