Brandon Hayes Guilty of Killing Dominick Calhoun

A jury has found former Tyrone Township man Brandon Hayes guilty of murdering his 4, in an Argentine apartment in April of 2010.

The jury, made of St. Clair County residents, deliberated for about two hours Thursday before the verdict was read, according to the Livingston Daily Press & Argus.

Along with first-degree murder, Hayes, 26, was found guilty on 10 total counts, including child abuse and torture, according to the Times Herald.

"It's really all about justice in the end," Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tammy Phillips said of the guilty verdict, according to the Flint Journal. "In the end, the jury spoke and that's what they believed was the right thing to do."

In the prosecution's closing arguments, which lasted about an hour and 40 minutes, they played back audio of Hayes' alleged confession to police, outlined medical testimony from experts and showed pictures of Dominick's injuries, according to WNEM TV 5. The article stated the defense argued that there was not clear evidence that Hayes was 100 percent behind the boy's injuries.

Hayes could face up to life in prison.  pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in August for not protecting her son and agreed to testify against co-defendant Hayes. She faces 13 to 30 years in prison.

 “We’re gratified by the jury’s decision and feel it is justice for Dominick,” said David Leyton, Genesee County prosecutor, after the verdict was read, according to the Tri-County Times. “We hope this will bring some closure for Dominick’s family.”

Many Fenton Patch readers responded to the news on the Fenton Patch Facebook Page.

Jennifer Gross posted, "The best news I've heard in a long time!!!"

Casey Gilbert said, "I think he needs a ticket to the front of the line in the death penalty waiting line."

Jacob Schloegl posted, "Death would be to easy. He needs to rot in prison because everything he did to that little boy will happen to him every day that he is in there for the rest of his life, and that's exactly what he deserves."

The sentencing is tenatively scheduled for Feb. 27 in Genesee County.

"He was my grandson, he was everybody's dream as a grandson" said Rick Calhoun of Dominick, according to the Flint Journal. "The hole's never going away, but now we think about all the good times, look at the photos and remember him.