Accused child killer
takes the stand

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The man accused of killing a three-year-old boy during a drunken rampage took the stand in his own defense Monday.

Gilbert Delestre is on trial at Providence Superior Court. He is charged in the 2004 murder of 3-year-old Thomas "TJ" Wright.

Shortly after prosecutors wrapped up their case Monday, Delestre's attorney, Robert Mann, called his client to testify .

During testimony, Delestre admitted to hitting Wright on the head, and knocking him down the stairs. Delestre said he was mad the boy had made a mess in the Woonsocket apartment he shared with the boy's Aunt, Katherine Bunnell . However, Delestre maintains he did not intend to kill the child and said he tried to catch TJ,  but was unable to.

Bunnell and Delestre were acting as Wright's foster parents at the time of his death. The Rhode Island Department of Youth and Families placed Wright and his two brothers in the home when their mother went to prison.

An investigation into DCYF found the agency should never have placed the boys with Bunnell because she was unemployed, had two children of her own and had been known to use drugs.

A jury convicted Bunnell earlier this year and her to life in prison without the possibility of parole.