Mark Becker found guilty

UPDATE: Mark Becker was found guilty of first-degree murder this morning in the shooting death of Aplington-Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas last summer.

The Butler County jury deliberated about 25 hours since Wednesday before reaching their verdict.

Sentencing was set for April 14.

Becker displayed no apparent emotion as the verdict was read.

WATCH: The verdict being read:

In a news conference after the verdict was read, the Thomas family said there "are no winners" in the case, and thanked the community for their support.

"Hopefully we can continue to have the impact and carry the legacy (Ed) left us," Aaron Thomas said.

WATCH: The Thomas family speaks

Assistant Attorney General Scott Brown complimented the Thomas family and Susan Flander, Becker's attorney, and noted the trial was emotionally draining for all involved.

"We come into peoples' lives at a pretty low point," Brown said. "Whatever emotions we feel, they're multiplied by 10 for the families."

Brown confirmed that had the jury found Becker not guilty by reason of insanity, he could have eventually been released, if he had been successfully treated and found to no longer be a danger to himself or others.

Brown also commented on prosecutors' concerns about a possible hung jury in the case. "Deadlocked juries are not unheard of," he said. "It's up to them how they want to proceed."

"I give this jury a lot of credit," he said in response to a question about the length of deliberations. "At the end of the day, when people look back on this case, it really gives a lot of integrity to the verdict itself."

WATCH: Prosecutors react to the verdict

In brief comments, Becker's mother, Joan, spoke about her son's transformation as he descended into mental illness, noting her son could have never killed Thomas "in his sane mind."

"The system failed (Mark) miserably," she said.

WATCH: Joan Becker's statement

Flander explained her defense team's decision to use a mental illness defense, noting that they felt the evidence showed that such a defense was warranted. She said she was disappointed with the jury's verdict, but also said she didn't feel the jury deliberated the case too long.

WATCH: Susan Flander reacts to the verdict

Becker, 24, was accused of shooting and killing Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach Ed Thomas on June 24. Becker claimed insanity as his defense.

Jurors sent a note to 2nd Judicial District Judge Stephen Carroll on Friday, asking him what to do after taking four votes and not agreeing on a verdict.

Carroll sent them a note Monday after they reconvened, and referred them to a jury instruction that informs them it's their duty to agree on a verdict.

“Do not to hesitate to reexamine your views and opinions if convinced it's wrong. But don't change your opinion as to the weight or effect of the evidence just because it is the opinion of the other jurors, or for the mere purpose of returning a verdict. Remember, you are the judges of the facts. Your sole duty is to find the truth and do justice.”

Robert Rigg, Drake Law School associate professor, said long deliberations are common in cases dealing with murder and the insanity issue. He also said the number of votes taken is not unusual.

The jurors had no other questions Monday for the judge.

On Friday, the jurors also asked Carroll what would happen to Becker if he was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

The judge told them not to concern themselves with the consequences. That wasn't their job, he said, and they are to decide whether he is guilty of first-degree murder or a lesser charge or whether he is not guilty by reason of insanity.

Reporter Trish Mehaffey continued her coverage of the trial Tuesday. Read a replay of her live blog below.