The defense summoned 14 witnesses and Sharon herself did not testify. They tried to prove that she had no reason to want to kill Patricia and there was no proof that the bullets had been fired from Sharon's gun. After less than two hours of deliberation, the jury found her not guilty of murdering Patricia Jones for lack of evidence.

She was not off the hook of course as she now had to be tried for the murder of her husband. The prosecution did not seek the death penalty and the trial began in January 1962. Prosecutors argued that Sharon wanted James dead and was even willing to hire a hitman to take him out. Boldizs, although a witness for the prosecution, claimed he believed Sharon was pulling his leg when she offered him $1,000 to off James. The prosecution also argued that the Kinnes' marriage had been shaky, that Sharon was having affairs, and that she wanted to kill James and collect his life insurance policy. The defense argued that James's death had already been ruled accidental and that Sharon was innocent until proven guilty. They also attacked Boldizs's credibility and there was ample evidence that Danna Kinne could have easily shot her father by accident.