HINTON FOUND GUILTY IN DEATH OF 5-MONTH OLD BABY

(Walhalla, SC). An Oconee County jury found 24 year-old Matthew Hinton guilty today of Homicide by Child Abuse. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced him to 41 years in prison. 
On August 16, 2009, Seneca police officers were called to Oconee Medical Center in response to suspected child abuse. EMS had transported 5 month old Brianna Bright to the hospital after reportedly being found unresponsive by her father, the defendant. She died 2 days later at Greenville Memorial Hospital as a result of severe head trauma. According to medical testimony, the injuries occurred during the time period when the defendant was the caregiver for the child while the mother was at work. 
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Brianna’s family,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “This innocent child relied on the defendant as her protector and care giver. Instead, his reprehensible actions resulted in her violent death. Our community has no place for people like Mr. Hinton and I am pleased that today’s guilty verdict will lead to a lengthy prison sentence for his crime. We would like to thank the jury for their service on this difficult case and Judge Macaulay for the decision to send Matthew Hinton to prison for the next 41 years.”