Teen convicted in death of son
WINSTON-SALEM (AP) -- A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to up to 38 years in prison after a jury convicted him of killing his 16-month-old son.
The Winston-Salem Journal reported that jurors rejected a charge of first-degree murder and found Joshua Anderson guilty of second-degree murder and felony child abuse in the death of Jamal Markes Shepard. Judge Catherine Eagles sentenced Anderson on Friday to consecutive sentences that total 30 to 38 years _ the maximum allowed.
Prosecutors say Anderson slammed the baby against a wall in June 2006 causing skull fractures and swelling of the brain. Jamal died 11 days later. Anderson's attorney Marilyn Massey says her client was a frightened father with limited mental capacity who was frustrated by the child's crying.
