Child Death Conviction

A Kalamazoo man has been convicted of killing his 2-year-old son. A Kalamazoo County Circuit Court jury on Thursday found 41-year old Brian Roberts guilty of felony murder, second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse. Nehemiah Dodd was unconscious on December 31, 2013. The toddler died at the hospital two days later. Roberts had claimed his son was hurt after he fell down some stairs. However, doctors determined that Nehemiah’s injuries were more consistent with child abuse. Roberts pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge in January in exchange for just 18 years in prison. But a judge said the sentence was too light and gave Roberts the option to keep his plea, and face 44-years to life or go to trial. Roberts withdrew his plea in mid-February, electing to go to trial. Roberts faces a mandatory term of life in prison without the chance of parole when he is sentenced on April 27.  (MRN)