Lawyer says kidnapping suspect has serious mental disorder, but man in surveillance video isn’t him
‘The world is basically prejudicing this whole community by saying, “That’s him,”’ a lawyer for suspect Darriynn Brown says
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The teenager accused of kidnapping and killing a four-year-old boy in Dallas, Texas has a serious mental disorder, according to his lawyer. And the lawyer says police actually have the wrong suspect.
Heath Harris, the attorney for 18-year-old suspect Darriynn Brown, spoke publicly about the case for the first time on Friday. Mr Harris says he has seen the disturbing surveillance footage of a man snatching four-year-old Cash Gernon from his crib, but insists that the kidnapper is not his client.
“The world is basically prejudicing this whole community by saying, ‘That’s him,’” Mr Harris told The Dallas Morning News.
The lawyer also told the paper that he will be requesting a mental health evaluation for Mr Brown, who he says has a severe mental disorder.
Father of murdered Cash Gernon pleads forgiveness for leaving son: ‘I have paid the ultimate price’- Cash Gernon: Murder suspect accused of returning two hours after kidnapping Cash Gernon and standing over twin brother
- Cash Gernon: Police recover suspected weapon used in murder of four-year-old boy
- Intruder seen on video baby monitor carrying sleeping 4-year-old Cash Gernon from bed before he was murdered
Cash went missing on the morning of 15 May, after spending the night with his twin brother at the home of his father’s girlfriend, Monica Sherrod. Home security footage shows that around 5am, a man entered the twins’ room and removed Cash from his bed. At about 11am, Ms Sherrod called the police to report him missing.
Later that morning, a jogger found Cash’s bloody body on the street about eight blocks from the house. Police say he was stabbed to death.
When Ms Sherrod viewed the surveillance footage, she told the police the intruder was Mr Brown. She reportedly recognized him because he attended school with her son.
Mr Brown has been charged with burglary and kidnapping, but police say no murder charges will be filed until tests of the evidence have been finished.
“Dallas investigators anticipate additional charges, pending results from a forensic analysis,” the Dallas Police Department said in a statement.
Mr Harris has denied all of these accusations.
“This is not an open and shut case,” the lawyer said. “Even if you believe that’s [Mr Brown] on the video, it doesn’t mean he killed the kid.”
Mr Brown is being held at Dallas County Jail, where his bail has been set at $1.625 million.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments