Ohio man found guilty of murder reported by child

DAYTON, Ohio A Montgomery County Common Pleas jury found Damien Brown guilty on Thursday in the June fatal shooting of estranged girlfriend Marquita Brown, 25.

Brown, 27, was found guilty of two counts each of murder and felonious assault and one count of having a weapon as a convicted felon. Prosecutors said he shot the victim in the head after an argument at her home. The two were not related.

Brown said the victim grabbed a pistol in his hand and the shooting was an accident. His attorney, Scott Calaway, confirmed Friday that an appeal would be filed, but declined to comment further.

Marquita Brown's son - the only other person in the home - called 911 after Damien Brown fled the house, prosecutors said.

"My mama is at home dead," the child said in the 911 call. "Can you come here?" he could be heard pleading with the dispatcher.

Brown could get 18 years to life in prison at his Feb. 17 sentencing. Assistant Prosecutor Tracey Ballard Tangeman said he has a history of violence, particularly against women, and she would ask for the maximum sentence.

The victim's mother, Ann Harris, said she was satisfied with the verdict because Brown was found guilty on all counts and "he's going to serve his consequences," the Dayton Daily News reported.

"We know that that child saw enough, knew enough and heard enough to put it together," Ballard Tangeman said. "I've not met many children who have been that brave and that smart."

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