Retrial for Toddler’s Murder Ends in Plea Deal

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A 41-year-old homicide defendant’s retrial ended when he agreed to plead guilty to murdering his girlfriend’s 17-month-old child before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Paul E. Alpert on Aug. 1.

Francois Brown was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury, second-degree child abuse from a custodian first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment for his involvement in 17-month old Zaray Gray’s death on July 18, 2018.

A motion for a new trial was filed in January 2021, alleging that Judge Charles J. Peters “erroneously admitted” evidence at trial regarding Brown’s prior conviction for the death of his seven-month-old son, Kendall Brown. Brown took an Alford Plea, technically pleading innocent but acknowledging responsibility for Kendall’s murder in 2014.

Brown pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Gray’s case, resulting in a sentence of 30 years, suspending all but 12 years with five years of supervised probation. He was also instructed to stay away from the victim’s family and have no contact with them.

According to the prosecution and the documents from the District Court of Maryland, Brown took Gray and his two siblings to a neighborhood playground. After returning to the 2800 block of Forest Glen Road, Gray threw up. When Gray’s mother departed, he was left with Brown and the child threw up two more times indicating he was unwell.

After Gray’s mother returned home she found him lying on the bed, unresponsive and not breathing. The prosecution stated Gray’s mother performed CPR in a futile effort to revive him.

Brown told Baltimore Police Department investigators that Gray fell off a slide and bumped his head and back.

Gray suffered multiple bruises around his waist and forehead. His left collarbone was broken and he suffered several cuts. Medical examiners determined the injuries were consistent with a forceful fist blows.

“Medical examiners also said the fall doesn’t explain the injuries,” the prosecution said.

Brown did not make a statement in court nor did the victim’s family. However, the prosecution told the court the victim’s family said that they wanted the greatest possible punishment for Brown.

“Well, this is certainly horrible,” Judge Alpert concluded.

Brown was represented by Todd Oppenheim.