Father sentenced after pleading guilty to second-degree murder of infant son
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A Raleigh father pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his infant son Wednesday.
Investigators said Demetrius Morant beat his son so badly that the child was bleeding from his brain.
After the plea, Morant was sentenced to state prison for a minimum of 20 years.
Witnesses testified that they believed he shook his two-month old son, Drew, so violently that the boy had brain damage and was rendered blind. They also testified the child had signs of prior abuse including broken bones.
Drew survived to around his first birthday before he died, which is when his father was indicted for first-degree murder. Wednesday he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
The mother of his child, who said her son's injuries were due to a rough birth, told the judge that Morant was not a murderer.
"To the officers of this courtroom, I know that you all have to enforce the law on Demetrius. I have already lost my son, but you are also taking away my best friend. To me he is not a threat to society." said Faith Newton.
If Morant serves his entire minimum term, he will be at least 50 years old when released. His maximum sentence would add another five years.
