Jamaal Brown, 30, of 1205 Broken Lane, Brookhaven, entered a plea of not guilty at his capital murder bond hearing Thursday, and bail was set at $100,000.

Brown was indicted Wednesday for the murder of 13-month-old Preston Reynolds, also known as Preston Jude Heath, on or around Jan. 23, 2014.

Jamaal Brown

More than 20 people were in attendance at the bond hearing in the circuit courtroom at the Lincoln County-Brookhaven Government Complex.

In arguing for bond to be set, Brown’s attorney Matthew Kitchens said during the hearing that his client has support from many community members, law enforcement officers and the fire department and that generations of his family are from Lincoln County, showing that he has strong ties to area. Kitchens added that Brown has no prior criminal record and came to Lincoln County voluntarily when asked to appear by law enforcement officials.

Judge Michael Taylor took Brown’s community ties and voluntary arrival in to consideration when setting the bail at $100,000 with a 10 percent post, instead of the full 100 percent given in capital crimes.

“Brown put up a circuit clerk’s bond following the bond hearing, 12 percent of the bail, 2 percent being a state fee,” said Lincoln County Circuit Clerk Dustin Bairfield. Brown is currently out on bail.

District Attorney Dee Bates gave a limited presentation of the autopsy report that showed the toddler had multiple fractures to the skull and contusions to the head and face. The report stated that the medical examiner ruled the death as a homicide. The full report was not allowed at the hearing, but the partial report was permitted to show the severity of the charge.

Kitchens said Brown was the one who brought the child to the hospital after the injury in January and stayed with him there until the 13-month-old died. He added that Brown gave a detailed report to the police department and brought officers to the home where an incident occurred.

Bates added to the information that according to the report, Brown was the only person in the bathroom with the child when the incident occurred.

Brown is a registered nurse, having received his degree from Southwest Mississippi Community College. He is from Lincoln County, but recently moved to New Mexico for a nursing job.

Judge Taylor set the bail with the stipulation that Brown must be ready at all times to be present in court, he is not allowed to have any contact with the victim’s family and he may not leave the state, as well as other normal terms and conditions.

The next court date in the case will be a status conference Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. in the courtroom.