After weeks of evidence and hours of deliberation, a jury found in favor of the Ford Motor Company in a civil suit Wednesday.

The jury took roughly 10 hours to deliberate.

Ford attorney Joe Reid said he was pleased with the outcome of the trial.

“We’ve maintained all along that this was an unfortunate accident, but it wasn’t Ford’s fault,” Reid said.

“We’re very grateful to the jury for their consideration.”

“The jury has spoken,” she said.

The suit revolved around the death of Natchez resident Raymond Yancy in 2002.

Yancy died when his 1988 Ford Bronco crashed and caught fire.

The plaintiffs, Yancy’s family, alleged the resulting fire caused his death, as well as pain and suffering.

They also said Ford was negligent in the design and manufacturing of the truck, leading to his death.

Ford attorneys said the crash, not the fire, killed Yancy, and that they took all necessary precautions to make their vehicle safe. Ford even included a safety shut-off valve in the fuel lines, they said.

The trial was filled with detailed expert testimony on details of designing and manufacturing vehicles and the benefits and downsides of plastic and metal fuel lines, a key point in the case.

In closing arguments Tuesday, the prosecution asked for a total of $4,134,430 in damages, including lost income, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society and companionship and mental anguish.

The trial was expected to last two weeks and ended up lasting three.

Circuit Judge Lillie Blackmon Sanders, who presided over the civil trial, said Wednesday that she had no comment on the case.