The hearing for the two 13 year old girls charged in the beating death of Reggie Brown lasted 4 and a half hours. Here are some takeaways. Detective Harry Singleton described Brown as being handicapped. He was missing fingers on each hand. He also suffered from other ailments.

The assault began after midnight on October 17th when a man “escorted” the 64 year old across Georgia Ave. The detective told the court he never identified the man he calls “blue coat”. Based on numerous cameras in the area he testified “blue coat” first assaulted Brown.

Throwing Brown against a wall and knocking him to the ground. The prosecutor played several videos showing a group of girls coming up Georgia Avenue. One asking “blue coat” if she “can fight him too” - meaning Brown. The videos then show the 64 year trying to get away.

The attack is caught on camera but in the courtroom it was hard to see. The video came from a Dominos Pizza recording in the alley. It’s in black and white. The detective told the court the girls kicked and stomped on the head of the 64 year old. A different, much more graphic

Video came from a cell phone recorded by someone in the group not charged showing what he described as a “horrific” beating with the girls leaving in a “celebratory” mood. Brown was dead when police arrived. The parents of the girls were in the courtroom for the testimony.

In the end the judge found probable cause for a charge of Second Degree Murder, Conspiracy and Assault and ordered the girls held in a secure juvenile facility. The 12 year old charged will have her hearing today.

@paulcwagner Parents need charges brought

@paulcwagner Lock up the parent too

@paulcwagner A small thing, but- does the school have a truant officer? After weeks of missing school there should have been mandatory meetings with parents - I think truancy officers used to track kids down