2nd trial starts in death of RI toddler

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Jury selection is expected soon in the murder trial of a man charged with beating his girlfriend's 3-year-old nephew to death.

Gilbert Delestre is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy.

Prosecutors say Delestre and his girlfriend, Katherine Bunnell, beat Thomas "T.J." Wright after they returned to their apartment in October 2004 and found a mess the child made.

Bunnell had custody of her sister's three children while her sister completed a prison term.

A spokesman for Attorney General Patrick Lynch says the first few days this week will be taken up with pretrial motions, with jury selection probably beginning at the end of the week.

Bunnell was convicted of second-degree murder earlier in May and sentenced last month to life in prison. She'll be eligible for parole in nearly 25 years.