Judge Accepts Plea Deal and Sentences Accused ‘Baby Killer’

By Ashley Drazka , Nicole Hansen - February 23, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Suspects | Victims |

On Feb. 23, DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt sentenced Brian Wooden for his involvement in killing an infant.

Wooden, 34, was originally charged with two counts of felony murder in which the victim was especially vulnerable due to age or physical infirmity, and two counts of first-degree cruelty to children, in connection to the murder of his then-girlfriend’s one-year-old son, Carter Sanders on May 16, 2018, at the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE.

On Aug. 14, 2023, Wooden accepted a plea offer extended by prosecutors.

Through the deal, Wooden pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in return for dismissal of all other charges. Wooden’s defense attorney, Marnitta King, prosecutors and Judge Brandt agreed to a ten-year sentence, with all but eight years suspended, and a five-year supervised release suspended.

During sentencing, the prosecutor read four victim impact statements. The victim’s grandmother called Wooden “a weak, evil baby killer” when discussing the pain that Wooden caused the family.

In her statement, Sanders’ aunt asked “What made you abuse and murder a helpless 14-month-old baby?”

“I trusted you with the most important person in my life, and you took him away,” said Sanders’ mother.

Sanders’ mother went on to note that, “You can murder a baby as long as your parents work for the government.”

“I see you. I heard you. If I could make it all go away for you I would,” said Judge Brandt when speaking to Sanders’ mom.

All four victim impact statements addressed the letters submitted by Wooden’s family on his behalf written on the letterhead of an unspecified government entity.

King denied allegations Wooden’s family was conspiring to help him and claimed the defendant’s family was only attempting to speak to the “no-nonsense” nature of Wooden’s family environment.

“Ethically, that’s completely inappropriate,” said Judge Brandt regarding the use of a government letterhead.

Judge Brandt denied claims of conspiracy.

The prosecutor then discussed Sanders’ injuries. “A skull fracture takes so much force, and in this case Carter had more than one.”

Sanders also had a brain hemorrhage, optic nerve damage, and damage to his liver, among other injuries.

As a condition of his probation, Wooden is not allowed to be unsupervised around minors. King argued that this could become a problem as Wooden’s own child will still be a minor at the time of father’s release.

However, Judge Brandt responded “I’m not taking that chance with another child.”

Prosecutors also requested a stay away order from both of the victim’s parents which Judge Brandt granted.

The judge urged Wooden to write a letter explaining what actually happened to Sanders. The prosecution assured the court the letter would reach the Sanders’ family despite the stay away order.

“There’s a story that’s right under the surface here that deserves to be told. That family deserves some answers,” said Judge Brandt.

No further dates are set for this matter.