JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) -- A Lee County man has lost his appeal to have his depraved heart murder conviction overturned.
Christopher Brandon, 34, of Verona is serving a life sentence for the June 2007 death of 15-month-old Xavier Staples.
Authorities say the child suffered a severe brain injury consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
Brandon told police the child fell and hit his head on a toy.
Among his appeals, Brandon claims his defense was hampered by the court's failure to appoint a state-funded expert.
The Mississippi Court of Appeals upheld his conviction and sentence Tuesday.
