JASPER, Tenn. - The Marion County, Tenn., man convicted in August of second-degree murder and aggravated child abuse in the 2012 death of his 3-month-old son was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison.
Judge Thomas "Rusty" Graham sentenced 27-year-old Christopher E. Russell to 25 years on each of the two convictions with both sentences to be served concurrently, or at the same time.
Russell was convicted Aug. 16 by a jury of second-degree murder and aggravated child abuse, both class A felonies, in the June 2012 death of infant Colin Russell. Colin was hospitalized June 17, 2012, after he stopped breathing and he died after the family decided to discontinue life support a week later.
An autopsy showed Colin had suffered numerous injuries, including blood clotting in several areas of his brain and "extensive" hemorrhaging in the optic nerves of both the baby's eyes.
Assistant District Attorney Steve Strain said after the hearing that he was satisfied with the outcome.
"It's a substantial sentence," Strain said Tuesday. Russell must serve 85 percent of the sentence - more than 21 years - before he becomes eligible to seek parole.
Russell's lawyer, William Bullock, asked for a date to file a motion for a new trial. Graham set a date on that hearing for Feb. 16, 2017.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.