BRAYDEN ROBINSON - 2 yo (2010)/ Acquitted: Casey Spradlin - Newton GA

Firefighter charged after 2-year-old dies


Associated Press - September 15, 2010 3:04 PM ET NEWNAN, Ga. (AP) - Authorities have charged a Coweta County firefighter following the death of the 2-year-old son of his fiancee.Authorities have charged 25-year-old Casey Allen Spradlin with felony murder, malice murder, first-degree cruelty to children and aggravated battery in the death of Brayden Robinson.Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokesman John Bankhead says it stems from a Sept. 3 incident. Authorities say emergency workers responded to a Lutherville home to find Brayden unresponsive. Spradlin, who was caring for Brayden at the time, told officials the boy had been injured in a fall.The child was taken to Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta where he later died. Spradlin is being held without bond in the Meriwether County jail.Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com

Published Saturday, September 18, 2010 in Local$100,000 bond set for suspect in death of child


By Elizabeth Richardson
The Times-Herald Coweta Superior Court Judge Jack Kirby granted a $100,000 bond Friday to Casey Allen Spradlin, 25, the man charged in the Sept. 3 slaying of 21-month-old Brayden Matthew Robinson. Kirby issued bond with the conditions that Spradlin surrender his passport and have no contact with his girlfriend's other child, the victim's 6-year-old sibling. Although Spradlin was arrested on Sept. 14 in Meriwether County because he is a Luthersville resident, Friday's 2 p.m. bond hearing was held at the Coweta County Justice Center.

Several witnesses testified on behalf of Spradlin. They told the court the defendant posed no threat to the public, would not attempt to influence witnesses and would not attempt to flee if granted bond.Some of those witnesses included his girlfriend -- the victim's mother -- his mother and father, his pastor in Moreland, fellow firefighters and friends.Those witnesses told the court that Spradlin was an East Coweta High School graduate, that he'd been a Coweta County firefighter for six years, that he joined the Army National Guard in June 2009, that he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and that he had no prior criminal record.Spradlin's live-in girlfriend, Christine Robinson, testified that she'd lived with the defendant for six months at 459 Bethel Church Road in Luthersville. In addition to her deceased son, she has a 6-year-old child with her ex-husband, Matthew Robinson.Robinson admitted on the stand to Meriwether County Prosecutor Robert Peterkin that she'd had a conversation via text messages with the defendant's ex-wife on Thursday morning. She testified that the ex-wife made the initial contact, wanting to clear up rumors. During the conversation, the ex-wife reportedly told Robinson that Spradlin had lost his temper with her once.When Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Sam Baety took the stand Friday, he testified that Spradlin's ex-wife told him she wanted a restraining order against both the defendant and Robinson because she had allegedly "recontacted and recontacted her involving this matter."Baety told the court that he was present for an interview with Robinson's 6-year-old child regarding her brother's death. The agent said it was his opinion the child had been "coached" on what to say.The child, who was not at home when her brother died, told the GBI her brother caught his foot on the footboard of a bed, fell and hit his head. When asked how she knew that, she told the agent her mother told her that, according to Baety.The agent said Spradlin's statements about the incident were inconsistent with the injuries the victim suffered. The autopsy revealed the baby died of blunt trauma to the head.Baety testified Spradlin had at least three firearms at his home and would target practice in his backyard."This is an egregious case," said Peterkin. Based on Robinson's actions, the prosecutor felt there was some risk that she and Spradlin would attempt to influence witnesses. Peterkin was concerned that Spradlin has access to several guns at his home and that he's utilized them in a "reckless manner." For these reasons, the prosecution felt the defendant posed a "threat to the community."Kirby disagreed and granted Spradlin bond.Spradlin's attorney informed the court he has notified the National Guard about the criminal proceeding in light of his pending deployment. Spradlin's captain said the situation was under review and that no orders would be issued until this matter is resolved.Spradlin is charged with felony murder, malice murder, first degree cruelty to children and aggravated battery.

Shaken baby case on trial in Greenville

   Monday, September 24, 2012

By ALEX McRAE, alex@newnan.com

Former Coweta County firefighter Casey Allen Spradlin is currently on trial in Meriwether County Superior Court for the September 2010 death of 21-month-old Brayden Matthew Robinson.

The case is expected to go to the jury Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Coweta County Judicial Circuit District Attorney Pete Skandalakis.

At the time of the child's death, Spradlin was a Luthersville resident. After his arrest he was released on $100,000 bond following a hearing held at the Coweta County Justice Center.

The autopsy revealed the baby died of blunt trauma to the head.

http://www.times-herald.com/local/20120917WEB-Spradlin-Shaken-Baby-MOS

Man accused of killing toddler found not guilty

Posted: Sep 21, 2012 7:50 PM CDT
Updated: Sep 21, 2012 8:16 PM CDT
By Mackenzie Zaragoza

MERIWETHER COUNTY, GA (WTVM) - Casey Spradlin collapsed on a table after hearing the judge read the Meriwether County jury's verdict of not guilty on all counts.

His family and friends burst in tears and hugged one another.

Spradlin has been on trial the last two weeks accused of murdering 21-month-old Brayden Robinson in 2010, the son of his then-girlfriend.

However, the jury did not support those charges.

It was an emotional end after more than a week worth of testimonies and evidence. Friday, during closing arguments, prosecutors talked about the young life that was cut short.

"Brayden Robinson will never get an opportunity to be a Cub Scout much less a Boy Scout," said Assistant District Attorney, Robert Peterkin. "He will never get the opportunity to be married because he is dead. He will never get the opportunity for that dream job like a firefighter or police officer or any other type of job he desires because he is dead."

However, the defense maintained that Spradlin loved the toddler and his injuries could have been from a series of accidents and the last, a fall from his crib while in Spradlin's care.

"They don't know what happened. They are trying to throw a bunch of evidence over here to you and you buy it and run with it without giving you proof of a how or a why in this case," said Ken Gordon, attorney for the defense

While there were some in the courtroom who were not happy with the verdict, some of Spradlin's friends and family members said they knew they could all get through this.

"Why would he snap with a small child that he loved?" said Gordon.

We could not catch up with the prosecutor to get his reaction to the Not Guilty verdict.

http://www.wafb.com/story/19610002/man-accused-of-killing-toddler-found-not-guilty