Verdict watch in child murder case

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The fate of a Woonsocket man is now up to a Providence Superior Court jury. Panelists deliberated on whether or not to convict Gilbert Delestre in the 2004 murder of 3-year-old Thomas "T.J." Wright.

After hearing two weeks of testimony, the jury got the case Wednesday morning.

Delestre is accused of viciously beating Wright because the child made a mess in the apartment he shared with Wright's aunt, Katherine Bunnell. Prosecutors said the pair had just returned from a night of drinking when the beating occurred.

During the trial, Delestre admitted to hitting Wright, but said he did not intend to kill him.

Delestre is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. However his lawyer, Robert Mann, has asked jurors to acquit his client of murder, and instead find him guilty of manslaughter.

A jury has already convicted Bunnell of second-degree murder. She's currently serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole.