Benjamin Brown / Photo courtesy Hamilton County Sheriff's OfficeThe trial of a man charged with murder in the 2018 death of a 2-year-old Hixson girl began Wednesday.
Benjamin Brown, 30, is accused of inflicting mortal injuries on Annie, a toddler his girlfriend was babysitting on Aug. 9, 2018, at the home he shared with his girlfriend. The girl died 12 days later.
On Wednesday, the child's grandfather, David Shell, told Judge Barry Steelman and the court that he thought of Annie more as his daughter than his granddaughter.
"She was my little angel," he said.
During his testimony, Shell said he had installed a security camera in his home that he had remote access to that he had used to record events on the night of his granddaughter's death.
The jury listened intently as Shell teared up during his testimony.
Video played for the jury showed Annie playing and spending time with her family that night. As the video played, Brown looked on, showing little reaction.
Shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday, the court took a break for lunch and video of the events that led to the girl's injuries had not been shown.
(READ MORE: South Pittsburg man charged in 2017 infant death)
Brown faces charges of felony murder and aggravated child abuse.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact La Shawn Pagán at lpagan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow her on Twitter @LaShawnPagan.