RALEIGH, N.C. – A 25-year-old gang member will spend the rest of his life in prison for beating his girlfriend's 2-year-old son to death.
A jury in Wake County, N.C., convicted DonJuan Smith Jr. of first-degree murder Friday.
Prosecutors say Charvis Dublin Jr. was hit more than 40 times last May after he was left alone with Smith and died from bleeding on his brain and a damaged liver.
Smith testified in his own defense, saying a group from a rival gang could have broken into his apartment while he was out buying drugs and beat the baby.
A neighbor testified that Smith brought the limp child to her apartment asking for help, then left to watch a music video while she tried to save the boy.
Prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty in the case.
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