Trial Date Approaches Nearly Five Years After Homicide of 1-Year-Old Child 

By Korea Tutt [former] - January 31, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A defendant in a murder case is scheduled to proceed with trial five years after the initial murder occurred. 

Thirty-two-year-old Brian Wooden is charged with two counts of first-degree cruelty to children and two counts of felony murder for the death of his girlfriend’s son, one-year-old Carter Sanders, on May 26, 2018, on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE. 

Wooden’s attorney, Marnitta King, confirmed alongside the prosecution that they are prepared to move forward with trial, which is set to begin on June 12. 

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt informed the prosecution and defense that motions will be due on April 7 and any responses by May 12 for the case to be ready for trial. 

On the night of May 16, 2018, Sanders was found unresponsive on the 4700 block of Benning Road, SE. Despite all life-saving procedures, the child was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Upon inspection of the body, the medical examiner noted visible trauma to the victim’s face, abdomen, and back. The medical examiner ruled that the contusions were not accidental. 

While interviewing the victim’s mother, she told officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) that she had not seen visible injuries on the victim prior to leaving the victim with Wooden that morning. The victim did not have any prior illnesses that would account for his drastic change in health, according to court documents. 

Wooden told police that around 9 a.m. he dropped the victim off with his uncle while he attended domestic violence training. Wooden’s brother then picked up the victim from the uncle, and the victim was returned to Wooden around 11 a.m. Wooden noted that the victim had a red mark on his forehead, which he associated with a rug burn. 

Later that day Wooden took the victim to the pool, court documents state. After returning from the pool, Wooden said he noticed the victim was sleepy but just associated that with exhaustion from the pool. Wooden told detectives that he and the victim slept for a few hours. After waking from his nap, Wooden said he noticed that the victim was unresponsive.

Wooden called 911 and performed CPR as directed by the dispatcher until DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services arrived. 

The next hearing is scheduled for May 19.