ROSALYNN WILLS - 19 Months (2008) - Raleigh/ Memphis TN

A Raleigh man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2008 beating death of his girlfriend’s 19-month-old daughter.


Marquest Mays, 27, was convicted by a Criminal Court jury Saturday
evening of murder in the perpetration of aggravated child abuse.



Mays told authorities that he punched Rosalynn Willis twice in the stomach because she would not stop crying.


The incident occurred on Oct. 11, 2008, at 4228 Hobson in Raleigh, said state prosecutors Jennifer Nichols and Carrie Shelton.



Mays was the boyfriend of the girl’s mother, Sharonda Willis.


The medical examiner told jurors that the baby girl died of blunt
force trauma causing a ruptured spleen, a torn pancreas and a torn
liver.


The child also had a broken arm and bruises on her face and abdomen.


In the trial, Mays testified that he falsely confessed to police because he was tired and wanted to go home.


He also was convicted of a separate charge of aggravated child abuse
for which he faces up to an additional 12 years when he is sentenced
Nov. 18 by Judge Lee Coffee.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/17/raleigh-man-convicted-babys-beating-death-gets-lif/