Benjamin Brown convicted on lesser charges in death of child

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – A jury on Monday found Benjamin Spencer guilty in the death of two year old Annie Burkett.

But it was not on the original charges.

In the trial that began last week, prosecutors said the Annie and her sister were in the care of Brandi Giannunzio in August of 2018.

But she went to a hair salon and left them with her boyfriend, Benjamin Brown.

Shortly after she returned home to the children, she called an ambulance.

Annie died two weeks later from her injuries.

Brown maintained that she had a seizure.

But the Medical Examiner testified that the little girl died from blunt force trauma to the head and chest.

The younger sister also suffered bruises around her nose.

Brown was originally tried for murder and aggravated child abuse.

The jury settled on lesser charges of criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment.

He will be sentenced in April.