Slain toddler's mom addresses murderer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Superior Court Judge Nettie Vogel has sentenced Gilbert Delestre of Woonsocket to life in prison and 10 more years for a conspiracy charge in the beating death of 3-year-old Thomas T.J. Wright back in 2004.

On December 4, 2008, a jury convicted Delestre of second-degree murder and conspiracy in the death of the toddler.

During the sentencing Karen Wright, T.J.'s mother addressed the court and the man accused of murdering her son.

"He was 3 years-old, a baby. I just don't understand why, why did you have to hurt him like that," says Karen Wright.

The sentence was the maximum under Rhode Island law. However, Attorney General Patrick Lynch said he is still disappointed with the initial conviction.

Gilbert Delestre's brother spoke to reporters outside court saying, " I'm supporting him as big brother, you know. I got to be there for him. We are all here for him, we love him no matter what"

Prosecutors said Delestre and his girlfriend, Katherine Bunnell, returned home from a night of drinking in October 2004 to find a mess. Outraged, the couple pulled the toddler out of bed and beat him.

During his testimony, Delestre admitted to striking the child on the head, but said he didn't mean to kill him. 

Bunnell, who is Wright's aunt, is currently serving her prison sentence after a jury convicted her in May 2008 of second-degree murder and conspiracy. She received a life sentenced, but will be eligible for parole in less than 25 years.

Bunnell and Delestre were caring for Wright and his brothers because the children's mother was in prison.