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Two-day jury trial set in newborn murder case

Pair faces first degree murder among other charges

A two-day jury trial has been scheduled for late August in the case of two teens charged in the murder of their newborn baby.

Last fall, Sofia Elizabeth Dyson, 19, and James Allen Matthew Brown, now 20, of Locust Grove, were charged in the death of an infant. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported it was made aware of the infant’s death in mid-November, but further investigation revealed the child had been born at home July 27 and killed immediately after. The baby was disposed of in a trashcan in the parking lot of a local retailer. 

On Monday, an Orange County Grand Jury certified two charges against Dyson–first degree murder and concealing a dead body, and two charges against Brown–wilfully conspiring to defile a dead body and concealing a dead body. The jury also added charges via direct indictment including one count each of conspiring to commit first degree murder and abusing a child resulting in serious injury for Dyson and first degree murder, conspiring to commit first degree murder and abusing a child resulting in serious injury for Brown. 

Both Dyson and Brown have been in custody at the Central Virginia Regional Jail since their arrests.

Arraignment has been scheduled for July 1 with a two-day jury trial to be held Aug. 28-29.

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Gracie Hart Brooks
Gracie Hart Brookshttp://rapidanregister.com
Born and raised in Virginia, Gracie has nearly two decades of experience in community journalism covering county and town boards and commissions, education, business and more. She believes in the power and importance of telling local stories and resides with her husband, two daughters and Bernedoodle in a small town.
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