REDFORD, VIRGINIA: Andrew J Byrd, 37, a Virginia man was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for the brutal murder of a two-year-old girl in 2020.
Byrd tortured and beat Harper Mitchell, the daughter of his then-girlfriend Amanda Mitchell while he was babysitting her and possibly using methamphetamine.
Andrew J Byrd also threatened his then-girlfriend for taking Harper to a hospital
He also prevented Amanda from taking Harper to the hospital and threatened her with a gun.
The horrific crime was revealed in a trial that ended in late March 2021 when a jury in Radford convicted Byrd on eight counts.
They included aggravated murder, abduction, child neglect, child abuse, aggravated malicious wounding, assault and battery, possession of methamphetamine, and interfering with an emergency call. However, he was acquitted on one charge of brandishing a firearm.
Judge said Andrew J Bryd 'tortured' poor little Harper
Circuit Judge Joey Showalter, while sentencing Bryd, said, Harper was a “little angel” who should not have been hurt and that Byrd “tortured that poor little girl.”
He also wondered what Harper would say if she were alive. He said, “And I don’t mind telling you this, Mr Byrd. If Harper were here today, she would be the first to say, ‘I forgive you.’”
Byrd was given two life sentences without the possibility of parole on Friday, October 6, according to Law and Crime.
He also gave him various prison terms for the other six offenses, from one year to 10 years, but ordered them to run at the same time as the life sentences, the outlet reported.
Besides hurting Harper, Andrew J Byrd also abused Amanda physically and verbally
Byrd came late to pick up Amanda from work on April 16, 2020, and hid Harper’s injuries from her.
Amanda saw Harper bleeding and wanted to take her to the hospital, but Byrd stopped and threatened her with a gun.
He also abused Amanda physically and verbally when they reached home and fought over Harper.
Byrd’s mother then called 911 after Amanda told her about Harper. She found Harper barely alive with a bruise on her forehead. She took her to the hospital, but Harper died after a week.
Andrew J Byrd made excuses about Harper's condition
Byrd gave various excuses for what happened to Harper, as per police detective who testified at the trial.
He told investigators she fell off a four-wheeler, a shopping cart, or had an allergic reaction for eating something. Harper's condition, the detective testified, has worsened in the days as told by Bryd.
Harper’s father, T J Mitchell, broke down in tears during the hearing saying, “I don’t have my little girl anymore.”
Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Rehak, the reports mentioned argued for maximum sentence for Byrd. "This defendant beat that poor little girl to a pulp.”
Amanda Mitchell also faces charges of child neglect and accessory after the fact. Her trial date has not yet been set.
