'Journey's Voice Has Been Heard': Mom, Boyfriend Convicted in Baby's Death

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A Bartow County jury has convicted a mother and her boyfriend in the death of the woman’s child.

Jurors on Wednesday, May 13 found Brandy Ann Boyd and Austin Levi Payne guilty in the January 2014 death of one-year-old Journey Ann Cowart, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

The murder trail got underway last week, and the state and defense rested their respective sides earlier this week. The jury broke for deliberations on Tuesday and returned its verdict Wednesday afternoon.

It’s unclear which charges the jury convicted Boyd and Payne on, but The Daily Tribune News noted on its Facebook page that Boyd was found guilty on all charges except four counts of malice murder and two counts of cruelty to children.

For his part, Payne was also convicted on all counts except four counts of malice murder and three counts of cruelty to children, the newspaper reported.

Additionally, 11 Alive reports the pair were found guilty on felony murder charges.

The office of Bartow County District Attorney Rosemary Greene said sentencing in the case is schedule for 9 a.m. June 2.

While the office declined to confirm which counts the defendants were convicted on, it did issue the following statement on the trial:

“Journey’s voice has been heard,” Greene said in her statement. “This was a difficult case and the District Attorney’s office appreciates the service of the jury, their openness to hear the facts of the case and their willingness to hold those responsible for Journey’s death accountable.”

Boyd and Payne were arraigned in November and both entered not guilty pleas to the charges. A Bartow County grand jury in September indicted both Payne and Boyd on 22 counts, including malice murder, felony murder, cruelty to children in the first degree, aggravated battery and battery.

Together, Boyd and Payne face four counts each of malice murder, six counts of felony murder, three counts of aggravated battery and one count of battery. Boyd faces seven counts of cruelty to children in the first degree while Payne faces all eight of those counts.

Journey Ann Cowart died at Cartersville Medical Center on Jan. 21, 2014, after she was taken to the emergency room because she was not breathing.

Bartow County Sheriff Clark Millsap previously told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Journey was beaten to death, with “a fractured skull, blunt force trauma to the stomach.” He also said there was evidence of previous abuse.

The pair were initially charged with first-degree cruelty to children and aggravated battery, but the charges were upgraded after an autopsy revealed the extent of Journey’s injuries.

What Should You Read Next?

• Mother, Boyfriend Plead Not Guilty in Baby’s Death
• Grand Jury Indicts Cartersville Mother, Boyfriend In Baby’s Death
• Judge Sets Bond In Journey Ann Cowart Murder Trial
• Cartersville Mother Accused In Child’s Murder Given $1 Million Bond
• Bartow Sheriff: Charges Upgraded to Murder in Death of Journey Ann Cowart, 1
• Grandmother: Baby Had Fresh Broken Bones, Laceration To The Liver

Photo credits: Bartow County Sheriff’s Office