Andre Hampton Found Guilty on all Charges
CHARLOTTE, NC - Andre Hampton's mother - not saying much after a jury found her son guilty of first degree murder and two counts of felony child abuse. It took over five hours to reach a decision. Family members cried outside the courtroom after the jury announced its verdict. Prosecutors based their case on a taped confession. In it, Hampton demonstrates how he beat his son Elijah with a belt in a South Charlotte hotel room in 2008. He also admitted to pounding the boy's knuckles with a hairbrush and toothbrush. Gruesome autopsy photos showed bruises all over the boy's body and drew tears from the jury. Defense attorneys though, say Hampton also grew up the victim of brutal beatings. They say that's the only punishment he knew -and was only trying to get the boy to eat his soup. During the trial, Hampton took the stand in his own defense. He told the jury he loved Elijah and only wanted the best for him. Jurors though... didn't sympathize. They agreed with the district attorneys that Hampton's beating constituted torture. Attorneys for both sides say they won't comment until sentencing is over. Jury members will return Monday morning for the sentencing phase of the case. Hampton could receive up to the death penalty.
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