Jury Finds R.I. Woman Guilty In Beating Death Of 3-Year-Old Nephew

Providence, RI (AHN) - After three days of deliberations, a Rhode Island jury on Friday found a woman guilty of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the beating death of her 3-year-old nephew.

Katherine Bunnell will be sentenced on July 16 and faces 10 years to life in prison for the 2004 death of Thomas "T.J" Wright.

The Superior Court jury on Thursday passed a series of notes with questions to the judge during its deliberations on the Woonsocket woman's fate.

Bunnell found the child had made a mess in her home when she returned after a night of drinking.

Her defense attorney had mounted an unsuccessful defense arguing that while Bunnell struck the child, her live-in boyfriend, Gilbert Delestre, was the one who killed the toddler.

Bunnell was acquitted of first degree murder. Delestre was also charged in the killing and is being tried separately.