From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – A federal jury convicted Derick Irisha Brown, 32, of Birmingham, today for kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap a minor victim, 3-year-old Kamille McKinney, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Felix A. Rivera-Esparra.
Kamille McKinney
The jury returned its guilty verdict against Brown after three days of testimony before Chief U.S. District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler. Brown was convicted of one count of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to kidnap a minor victim, arising out of events that occurred in October 2019. The jury further found that the minor victim’s death resulted from the kidnapping and that Brown conspired with Patrick Stallworth, who faces life in prison.
“Last month, a jury convicted Patrick Stallworth, and today, the jury convicted the other defendant charged with kidnapping this young child,” Escalona said. “Kamille McKinney’s loss is felt not only by her family, but also by our entire community. While these prosecutions cannot bring her back, Stallworth and Brown will never be able to threaten or harm another child. We thank our local, state and federal partners for their efforts to remove the threat posed by these dangerous criminals.”
According to evidence presented at trial, on Oct. 12, 2019, Brown traveled in a Toyota Sequoia with co-conspirator Stallworth to the Tom Brown Village Housing Development located in Birmingham, Alabama, and kidnapped 3-year-old Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney. Her body was found 10 days later.
“While I applaud today’s verdict, the only proper outcome in this matter would be to have Kamille returned to her family,” Rivera said. “Brown’s heinous actions cut short a precious life that can never be replaced. I continue to be grateful to the men and women in my office, along with our state, local and federal partners who worked tirelessly to bring Brown to justice.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Birmingham Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Chief of the Criminal Division Lloyd C. Peeples and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Blake Milner and Brittany Byrd prosecuted the case.
