COVINGTON, Ga. – A
22-year-old Covington woman will spend at least the next 30 years in prison
after pleading guilty to murder Tuesday morning in Newton County Superior Court.
Alexis Brooke Wayt entered her plea before Alcovy Circuit Chief Judge John M. Ott for the November 2015 death of her 1-month-old son, Jammal Terry Jr.
Deputy Chief District Attorney Candice Branche told the court Wayt called 911 the evening of Aug. 11, 2015, and told the operator her baby was not breathing. When EMS arrived, they found the baby unconscious and in respiratory distress.
Branche said the baby had been seen at the doctor’s office earlier that day and did not have any medical problems.
After the being treated at the hospital, the baby was transferred to hospice care, where he died Nov. 23. Branche said an autopsy ruled the baby’s death a homicide after it was determined he died from a traumatic brain injury.
According to Branche, Wayt met with Newton County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jeff Alexander and admitted she held the baby by the waist and shook him for approximately 40 seconds before he stopped breathing and she called 911.
Wayt was jailed Aug. 3, 2016, on multiple charges including felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children.
Ott sentenced her to life in prison with the possibility of parole after her guilty plea to felony murder and aggravated assault. Branche said she will not be eligible for parole until she has served 30 years of her sentence.
In a statement, Branche told The Covington News, “We hope her taking responsibility for her actions today by pleading guilty will bring some closure to all of the family members and others who cared about and for Jammal Terry Jr.”
Wayt’s attorney, Anthony Carter of the Newton County Public Defender’s Office said, “This was a tragic incident involving a very young single mother who was in a bad relationship and had no support group. She lost her patience and caused the death of her child. Instead of going to trial and making the State prove its case, Ms. Wayt chose to take responsibility for her actions. She is very sorry for the loss of her child and for the pain she has caused others. Hopefully, she can find a way to give back to society while serving her sentence and if she is granted parole after serving 30 years in prison.”
