BECKLEY, W.Va. — A Raleigh County jury convicted a Beckley man Thursday in the March 2021 death of a 7-year-old boy.
Rashad “Rico” Thompson, 36, was found guilty in the first degree murder of Tre-shaun Brown, the young son of Thompson’s then girlfriend, Felicia Brown.
Thompson attacked the boy with a hammer after stabbing his mother multiple times. The murder took place after she ran from the residence at Lewis Ritchie Apartments in Beckley for help.
Thompson’s attorneys claimed it was Brown who killed her own son.
Raleigh County Prosecutor Ben Hatfield told MetroNews Thursday the evidence clearly pointed to Thompson as the attacker.
“Every piece of physical evidence and every piece of testimonial evidence pointed to Rashad Thompson being the one who killed Tre-Shaun Brown and attempted to kill his mom,” Hatfield said. “Tre-Shaun Brown’s blood was the only blood found on the hammer. Tre-Shaun Brown’s blood and Felicia Brown’s blood were found on Rashad Thompson’s shirt. Tre-Shaun Brown’s blood was found on Rashad Thompson’s hands.”
Hatfield said there was no clear motive other than Thompson turning to the boy after his mother escaped the attack.
“And once she ran and was able to finally get to the neighbor’s house, I think he abandoned that for fear of being discovered, he ran back to the apartment and the one way he knew to take his anger out on her at this point was to attack her son,” Hatfield said. “That’s conjecture. It’s the only explanation.”
Tre-Shaun Brown was non-verbal and had been diagnosed with autism. Hatfield said he was a special little boy.
“For all of the disabilities that he had in regard to speech and regard to being potty-trained, he had so much to offer and Mr. Thompson took him out of this world,” Hatfield said. “Although he may not be physically with us any longer he will be a light the covers the world for a very long time to come.”
The 12-member jury did find mercy for Thompson in a separate mercy phase Thursday afternoon which means he’ll have a chance for parole in 15 years.
Hatfield said he asked the jury not to recommend mercy.
“The system works the way it’s designed to work and I am left with the results,” Hatfield said.
The six charges Thompson was convicted of include first degree murder, attempted first degree murder of Felicia Brown, malicious wounding, child abuse resulting in death and two counts of domestic battery.
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14.