Infant Murderer Denied Retrial and Sentenced To 40 Years

By Hannah Sawickey [former] , Yasmine Worley [former] - June 28, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge John A. Howard sentenced 25-year-old Quar’ran Allen to 40 years for the murder of his daughter, 2-month-old Elise Cottman, on June 28.  

On March 30, Allen was found guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, first-degree severe physical injury, second-degree child abuse, first and second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. 

His defense attorney, Brandon Taylor, motioned for a retrial on the grounds that the court had produced an appearance of impropriety. However, Judge Howard denied the defendant’s request for a retrial, stating that he acted completely within his powers. 

The prosecutor recommended the judge sentence Allen to 40 years for second-degree murder and a concurrent sentence of 100 years for first-degree child abuse resulting in death due to the severity and brutality of the homicide. 

The defendant’s mother and cousin both had a chance to address the court, announcing their continued love and support for the defendant and asking Judge Howard to show mercy. The defendant himself also addressed Judge Howard, expressing remorse and love for his family and children, including Elise. 

Judge Howard then sentenced Allen to 40 years for second-degree murder and 50 years suspending all but 40 years with five years of supervised probation for first-degree child abuse.

The defendant is also required to attend anger management sessions. 

According to CBS Baltimore, on May 28, 2019, officers responded to a report of an unresponsive infant at Johns Hopkins Pediatrics around 10 p.m. However, the victim had succumbed to her injuries before officers arrived. 

Upon the completion of an autopsy, the cause of death was shown to be blunt force trauma.