BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines County jury has found a Burlington man responsible for killing his 22-day-old son, although he will avoid a first-degree murder conviction.
The Hawk Eye reports the jury on Monday found 24-year-old Randall Payne guilty of involuntary manslaughter and two child endangerment charges. The jury rejected prosecutors’ request to convict Payne of first-degree murder.
Payne was arrested at his rural Burlington home last year. The body of Carter Joseph Payne was found by emergency crews after they responded to his father’s 911 call on Nov. 9, 2014.
Payne’s attorneys maintained the baby died of medical problems caused by preexisting medical conditions and a troubled delivery.
A sentencing date has not yet been set.
