Accused Baby Killer Talks To FOX Fort Wayne

A Fort Wayne man charged with killing his girlfriend's baby has chosen to represent himself.

27-year-old Brandon Black has been charged with battery and neglect of a dependent.

            A judge granted Black's request to not have an attorney.

               Black was taking care of his girlfriend's 11-month-old son last September when the baby suffered a fractured skull and died.

Black was in court today and Fox Fort Wayne was the only station to talk to him.

“I’m innocent. I can't wait to get home to my family” says Black after leaving an Allen County courtroom.

He also held a sign that said "only God can judge me."

Two months ago he was watching his girlfriend's kids, an 11-month boy and 3-year-old girl. He told police he woke up after hearing something fall down the stairs.

He said he saw the 11-month-old unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. The child, Kweli Dupri Thomas, had bruises on his stomach and chest. He died of blunt force head trauma.

FOX Fort Wayne asked Black: "the doctor said that the injuries were not caused by a fall down the stairs. What were they caused by?"

Black responded: "no second professional opinion was  seeked., no cross examination. So I don't no know. I'm waiting to see. I got to wait for trial."

The baby's grandma tried to revive the child. She told police that Black

"would not help with CPR and kept going into the kitchen smoking a cigarette."

FOX Fort Wayne asked Black: "the grandma said that you were unwilling to help revive the baby. Is that true?"

Black responded: "I already tried that beforehand."

            Black shocked everyone in the courtroom today by asking to represent himself. The judge advised several times against it. He even asked Black if he had any sort of criminal law background. Black says he took a few classes while attending Ball State.

"I’m innocent. I believe that no one should be in the forefront in the fight for my life” says Black.

Black will head back to court next month He'll ask the judge to dismiss his battery charge.

As FOX Fort Wayne previously reported, Black has quite a long rap sheet.

He's been charged with robbery, criminal recklessness, battery, a dui, sex with a minor, domestic battery and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Again,  he now faces neglect of a dependent and battery charges.

He'll be in court on December 17 to plead for the battery charge to be dismissed.