YOUNGSTOWN An appeals court has upheld the aggravated murder conviction of a man found guilty in the fatal 2021 home invasion and shooting of 4-year-old Rowan Sweeney at his home in Struthers.

The Seventh Appellate District Court of Appeals on Monday affirmed the convictions of Brandon Lee Crump Jr., 26, in a ruling that also upheld his multiple convictions for attempted murder, felonious assault, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and conspiracy.

According to court documents, Crump entered a home on Perry Street in March 2021, demanded money, and then shot four adults before killing Rowan Sweeney, who was asleep on his mother's lap. The child was killed instantly, while the adults survived their injuries.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence, including DNA from a

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