Willie Brown | Homicide Watch Chicago

Willie Brown acquitted of murder in West Englewood death of 4-month-old boy

Michael Lansu — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 22:25:31 -0600

BY LEEANN SHELTON
Sun-Times Media

A man has been acquitted of murdering his infant son, who died of child abuse while in his care last year in the West Englewood neighborhood.

Willie Brown, now 18, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of 4-month-old Demari Brown, whom he was watching on Sept. 26, 2013, at the child’s home in the 6000 block of South Honore Street, authorities said.

Demari was found unresponsive in a bedroom of his home, and prosecutors accused Brown of leaving the room to play video games after the child suddenly stopped making sounds.

Demari later died at Holy Cross Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy determined the infant died from multiple blunt force injuries caused by child abuse, and his death was ruled a homicide.

However, Willie Brown’s attorney, Anthony Hill, said witnesses testified there was nothing visibly wrong with the child when he tucked him in for a nap before going to play video games.

When someone checked on Demari later and realized the baby was not breathing, Willie Brown rushed into the room and started doing CPR, Hill said.

Nobody said they saw Willie Brown do anything to hurt the baby, said Hill, who describing his client as “a loving father.”

Willie Brown was found not guilty of all charges Tuesday following a bench trial before Judge Vincent Gaughan, according to court records.

An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services investigation into the child’s death found an “indicated abuse” against Willie Brown and the child’s mother -- meaning the agency found credible evidence that the child was abused, a spokesperson said.

Teen played video games after allegedly murdering infant

Rummana Hussain — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 17:38:52 -0500

A teenage boy started playing video games after the severely battered baby he was caring for stopped crying and eventually died last week, Cook County prosecutors said Tuesday.

Willie Brown, who is facing murder charges in 4-month-old Demari Brown’s death, was the primary caregiver of the child when he was watching him in his girlfriend’s home in the 6000 block of South Honore last Thursday, Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kent said.

Police said Brown was the dead child’s father. But Kent said Demari, 17, is Brown’s girlfriend’s baby.

When Demari’s mother asked Brown what he did to her baby at the hospital where the infant was transported, he allegedly cried and said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” the Sun-Times is reporting.

Brown was the only one with Demari in his bedroom when the crying Demari suddenly stopped making sounds, Kent said.

Brown left the bedroom and went to play video games, Kent said.

A short time later, someone else went into the bedroom and found that Demari was unresponsive, Kent said.

Demari suffered blunt trauma to the head, a linear fracture to the skull, subdural hemorrhages, rib fractures and healing fractures to other ribs and a wrist.

An autopsy determined Demari died from multiple blunt force injuries caused by child abuse, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office.

The state Department of Children & Family Services was investigating the boy’s mother, Brown and grandmother for allegations of abuse, spokesman Dave Clarkin said. The agency has had no prior reports regarding the family.

Brown, of the 2400 block of West Gladys, was ordered held in lieu of $500,000 bail.