Teen who took selfies after killing disabled man learns fate
Background: Reggie Brown’s family (WUSA/YouTube). Inset: Reggie Brown (Brown family).
One of the teen girls collectively found guilty last month of kicking and stomping a 64-year-old stranger to death because they “were bored” — taking selfies and recordings with the disabled man to celebrate his brutal demise — was sentenced on Wednesday.
The 13-year-old, who was convicted of second-degree murder on Nov. 18, got hit with the maximum sentence allowed for a minor in Washington, D.C., for the death of 64-year-old Reggie Brown last year. Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs ordered her to remain under a “restrictive commitment” in a Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services facility until she is 21, according to local CBS affiliate WUSA.
Five girls, ranging in ages from 12 to 15, allegedly chased down Brown and beat him to death in a Washington, D.C., alley in October 2023. Two of the teens pleaded guilty, with the oldest being sentenced to three years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon, WUSA reports.
The 13-year-old who was sentenced Wednesday was the one accused of taking selfies with Brown. The slain man’s family spoke to WUSA and local CW Network affiliate WDCW outside of the courthouse, saying the girl tried reading a written apology out loud to them in court — which they don’t accept.
“Absolutely not,” said one of Brown’s older sister, Malda Brown. “She didn’t give no remorse or no empathy or no sympathy.”
In court, the oldest teen involved confessed to that the group attacked Brown because they were “bored,” admitting that they later kicked and mocked him for bleeding.
“Damn, you leakin’!” one girl shouted at Brown, according to prosecutors.
Asked if they remembered what was going through their head after the attack, the 15-year-old said in court: “He’s dead.”
The group could be heard cheering on video afterward, which is something Brown’s family says they’ll never forget.
“I could hear them celebrating after they murdered my brother,” Malda Brown said. “It saddens me that these young girls could be so brutal and do something so severe. But I’m just grateful the judge did give them the [maximum] time that D.C. allows.”
At least one other defendant was scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday, but the results of that hearing were not immediately available. Two others are slated to learn their fates later this month.
