Man convicted of rape, murder in death of 10-month-old baby

RIPLEY, W.Va. — A West Virginia jury is recommending "no mercy" for a Cottageville man found guilty of rape and murder in the death of a 10-month-old baby girl.

According to WCHS-TV, jurors on Tuesday convicted Benjamin Taylor, 33, of felony first-degree murder, sexual abuse by a guardian, and death of a child by abuse in the assault that ultimately killed Emmaleigh Barringer.

In October 2016, Emmaleigh's mother, Amanda Adkins, said she found Taylor, her then-boyfriend, in the basement of their Fairplain home with the baby, who was unconscious and bloody, the West Virginia MetroNews reported. The girl, who showed signs of sexual assault, later died from her injuries, authorities said.

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Taylor claimed that he can't remember what happened and had been drinking heavily, the MetroNews reported.

Taylor is facing a sentence of life in prison without parole, according to Jackson Newspapers.

Cox Media Group