Memphis man found guilty in death of 3-year-old son

Sunday, August 3, 2014

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MEMPHIS - A jury has found a Memphis man guilty of fatally beating his 3-year-old son and dumping him into a trash bin two years ago.

The Commercial Appeal reports 30-year-old Maurice Brown was found guilty Sunday of first-degree murder in perpetuation of aggravated child abuse and several other charges.

He will automatically be sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder conviction.

Maurice Brown Jr. was found dead in a Dumpster-type trash bin on July 3, 2012.

Brown Sr. initially told police the child walked out the door while he was sleeping. He testified Saturday that he had been spanking the child before he died, but that the boy's fatal injuries were the result of falling and hitting his head on a table.

He said he then dressed the boy's body and drove him to a trash bin.