An American computer game enthusiast killed his 17-month-old daughter because she broke his Xbox 360. Prosecutors believe that the defendant, Tyrone Spellman, punched his daughter Alayah Timberman in the head, causing multiple fractures to her skull. At the time of the incident, the deceased's mother, Mia Timberman, was resting in another room.
The 27-year-old defendant was addicted to Xbox 360 games. Assistant District Attorney Belladine said: "He (Spellman) would spend six or seven hours a day playing on the Xbox 360."
According to evidence presented by the prosecution in court, in September 2006 when the incident occurred, he violently beat her because she had pulled on his Xbox 360, causing it to be damaged. The defendant later moved the daughter's body to another room and placed it next to a dumbbell, intending to create the illusion that her death was an accident.
After the incident, the defendant fled the house. He confessed to the police the next day, but his defense lawyer Hoff claimed in court that his client only confessed after being detained by the police for 24 hours.
The jury did not accept the defendant's claim that he confessed to protect his wife.
The court ruled yesterday that the defendant was guilty of third-degree murder. He faces a prison sentence of 23 and a half to 47 years. The defendant is from Philadelphia and has been convicted three times for drug trafficking by courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.