Katherine Bunnell convicted of killing 3-year-old nephew

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A woman who beat her 3-year-old nephew after she came home from a night of drinking to find a mess in her living room was convicted of murder Friday in a brutal case that sparked an investigation into the state's foster care system.

Katherine Bunnell was convicted of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the 2004 death of Thomas "T.J" Wright, who was living with her in foster care because his mother was in prison.

The jury in Providence Superior Court deliberated for three days. "She was responsible for a young child's life," Attorney General Patrick Lynch said after the verdict.

"She was involved in snuffing it out in the most brutal beating that I've seen or heard about in my experience in the office, and for that she should pay."

Bunnell faces 10 years to life in prison when she is sentenced July 16. During the trial, prosecutors said Bunnell and her live-in boyfriend, Gilbert Delestre, became enraged when they returned to their Woonsocket apartment to find spilled yogurt and milk in the living room.

Bunnell pulled the toddler from his bed, dragged him down the stairs, poured milk over his head and struck his head and face. Defense attorney Gerard Donley admitted his client struck the little boy, but blamed Delestre for inflicting the fatal wounds. Delestre will be tried separately for Wright's death.

Donley said he planned to appeal the verdict because he believes the jury should have seen additional portions of a videotape showing Delestre's interrogation by police.

"I don't think she's guilty of anything except inappropriate, shameful discipline of a 3-year-old," he said.

The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families had placed Wright and his two brothers in Bunnell's care when their mother was in prison.

Wright's death prompted an investigation by a state panel into DCYF, which found the agency never should have placed Wright and his brothers with Bunnell because she was unemployed, had two children of her own and had been known to use drugs.

Wright's killing also is a key allegation in a pending civil lawsuit alleging widespread problems of abuse and neglect in Rhode Island's foster care system.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)