Man charged with first-degree murder found guilty of lesser charges

In Sullivan County, a man that was originally charged with first-degree murder was found guilty of lesser charges. Alexander Pender was on trial for first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. A Sullivan County grand jury indicted Pender after a 10-month-old infant was found unresponsive by police in September 2021 and the child’s death was ruled a homicide. A jury instead found Pender guilty of criminally negligent homicide and misdemeanor reckless endangerment. Pender is to be sentenced at a later date.