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May 16, 2008

Bunnell trial: Aunt guilty of 2nd-degree murder / Photos

Journal photo / Steve Szydlowski
After about 12 hours of deliberations over three days, a jury found Katherine Bunnell guilty in the death of her nephew, Thomas "T.J." Wright.

A 24-year-old Woonsocket woman has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the beating death of a 3-year-old nephew who had been left in her care.

Katherine Bunnell was also convicted of murder conspiracy early this afternoon by a jury in Superior Court, Providence.

The jury in the high-profile trial announced that it had reached a verdict at 12:15 p.m. this afternoon, after deliberating for about 12 hours over three days.

Bunnell and her boyfriend, Gilbert Delestre, 27, were accused of fatally beating a foster child in their care, Thomas “T.J.” Wright, after they returned to their Woonsocket apartment on Oct. 30, 2004, and found a mess the toddler had made on the living room floor.

The child had been left in Bunnell's care when his mother, Bunnell's sister, was sent to prison.

Bunnell looked stricken as she was led out of the courtroom, but she maintained her composure.

Bunnell's sister, Karen Wright, the mother of T.J., wept as the verdict was read.

Bunnell had been charged with first-degree murder, but she was found guilty of the "lesser included" charge of second-degree murder. She faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison on the second-degree murder conviction. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 16.

Defense attorney Gerard H. Donley says he will appeal the verdict, claiming that jurors weren't allowed to see a portion of a videotaped interview with Delestre that would have helped clear his client. The judge will hear a motion for a new trial on May 22.

From its beginning, the case raised questions about the state’s system of screening prospective foster parents, putting the Department of Children, Youth and Families in the spotlight. An independent investigation launched by the Office of the Child Advocate determined that DCYF missed as least five opportunities to rescue Thomas from the couple’s Woonsocket home.

Journal photo / Steve Szydlowski
Mary Bunnell, mother of Katherine Bunnell, listens with her other daughter, Karen Wright, the mother of 3-year-old Thomas "T.J." Wright, to the jury's verdict.

-- Journal staff writer John Castellucci

In instructing the jury before its deliberations, Judge Gilbert V. Indeglia told jurors that they could find Bunnell innocent or they could find her guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter.

The judge told jurors they could find the defendant guilty of second-degree murder rather than first-degree murder if they found her intention to kill was only momentary, if it wasn't the result of prolonged meditation.

If she had been convicted of first-degree murder, Bunnell could have been subject to a sentence of life in prison without eligibility for parole.

A first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, and a defendant is subject to life in prison without parole if prosecutors can prove that the murder involved torture or aggravated battery. The attorney general's office said it would have sought life without parole if the jury returned a first-degree murder verdict.

Bunnell's co-defendant, Delestre, is still awaiting trial. Because each accuses the other of inflicting the fatal injuries, Bunnell and Delestre are being tried separately.

In 2006, the Office of the Child Advocate issued another report, saying the state had failed to make some of the most important changes that a review panel called for following T.J.’s death. Mostly notably, the state had not held caseloads to recommended levels.

Then, last June, Child Advocate Jametta O. Alston filed for class-action status on behalf of the 3,000 children now in state custody, aiming for nothing less than an overhaul of Rhode Island’s child-welfare system, which the suit portrays as overburdened and mismanaged.

That suit is still in U.S. District Court.

Posted by Jack Perry at 12:35 PM | Permalink

Comments

HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!

Jane | May 16, 2008 12:41 PM link

There are no winners here. TJ is still dead. Even if his aunt did not mean to beat him to death, or delivered the killing blow, her actions were horrific. If she had initially reacted differently or went to bed and dealt with the mess in the morning, this would probably never have happened. We'll never know.

Sickened by this story | May 16, 2008 12:54 PM link

I have NO sympathy for this person. She should sit in prison for the rest of her natural life and think about what she did to that poor little boy!!!!! May that little angel rest in peace now!!!

Christine N. of Cranston | May 16, 2008 12:56 PM link

she's lucky

Summer Romance | May 16, 2008 12:59 PM link

Because she did not STOP the slaughter, she should have been found guilty of 1st degree

bobbos | May 16, 2008 12:59 PM link

She got what she had coming to her, her boyfriend should be found guilty too.

verna narcovich | May 16, 2008 1:04 PM link

I believe justice has been done. That poor child never had a chance with any of those people as his family. Imagine beating a poor baby to death over some spilled yogurt..........

Debbie | May 16, 2008 1:04 PM link

I have truly never been happier to hear a guilty verdict. I hope the State of RI - DCYF learns from this. I just can't wrap my mind around how anyone thought a 21 year old high school dropout with 2 kids of her own, in an "uncommitted" live-in relationship with a 23 year old could me mature enough to take in 3 more kids ages 3-10 to make a total of 5 kids in the house. and to the boyfriend...your next..you should probably accept a plea because no one really wants to hear what you have to say on the stand.

Karen | May 16, 2008 1:22 PM link

There is no justice for a crime such as this. We should go back to "An Eye for an Eye". May she be haunted with the memory of that savage beating that she so willing delivered to a 3 year old boy.

God rest your sole Thomas Wright. You are in a safe place now, I only hope and pray your brothers are safe as well.

A Loving & Caring Aunt | May 16, 2008 1:23 PM link

How very sad,What kind of mother did these little boy have in the first place? What a life now go to jail and learn your lesson. I feel sorry for her alittle because at a momment of bad judgement it also took her life as well. was a beating of a tiny little boy who probably loved her all worth life in the slammer? A lesson for every one out there who attempts this. DCYF IS VERY MUCH A FAULT!!!!!!! AND SHOULD NOT GO UNPUNISHED!!!!

paula | May 16, 2008 1:35 PM link

Such a loss for all of the families. God bless your soul TJ, I never met you but I love you dearly.

It's really awesome how people want to point the finger at DCYF - but that's all they want to do. Stop being so traumatized about a boy you DON'T know and start getting involved!! Plain and simple, the state needs healthier foster parents. Stop complaining if you aren't going to be part of the solution.

If there is a choice between having a baby in a home with a high school dropout or having the baby living in a homeless shelter where do you think the child should be placed. If you think your home, educational background and lifestyle would be nirvana for a Foster Child then why aren't you calling DCYF right this second to become certified?

P Courtney | May 16, 2008 1:55 PM link

Todays society lacks the humanities that deems the human race, "Civil!" One thing we cannot escape though, is our conscience.

Joyce Vinacco | May 16, 2008 1:58 PM link

Good riddance to human garbage.

Greg | May 16, 2008 3:07 PM link

One thing is for sure when you do something wrong, bad, illegal or immoral, your dirty laundry will be reveal sooner or later. Maybe parents will think twice before getting in trouble and then having to leave their kids with unstable family members. Please!! Have common sense and do not hurt those who can't defend themselves!! Specially a child.

johanna | May 16, 2008 4:08 PM link

Of course people are going to point a finger at DCYF.. what exactly is their JOB? They are understaffed and overworked..no question.. however, Im thinking that didnt matter all that much to T.J.

Susan | May 16, 2008 4:35 PM link

When Obama is President he will fix all these problems.

Been There Done That | May 16, 2008 4:51 PM link

People think it's crazy, but as a society, we need to encourage these woman to get "fixed", stop having children. Offer them a couple hundred dollars if we have to. It's less then we will pay to take care of their abortions or abused children in the future. And people who commit these disgusting crimes, should go away for life or worse and I guarantee they would not occur as often. People know they can get away with things and be out in a few years time. We are making a huge mistake.

Chantalle | May 16, 2008 5:08 PM link

there is alot of people to blame for this and first it starts with his birth mother. she is the reason he was put in that situation in the first place. she should have been doing her job as a mom and be there for him not selling drugs and getting herself put in jail.. as for the aunt who did this to the child there is no excuse for a child to be beaten like that. kids are kids and they make a mess as you were once a child yourself and im sure you did the same when you were little. the worst part of this all is now your going to jail and all us working are supporting you to still live and thomas is gone never to play and grow up and be the man he was born to be.. for the mom and the aunt i hope you can stand in front of the mirror and see the monsters you are for doing this. nobody asks to be born and he sure didnt ask to be beaten to death by anybody. god will take care of thomas in heaven and will protect him from all evil. as for us as moms we are suppose to protect our children and love them, its ashame that you werent taught the same thing in life... i hope all involved in this are punished. i dont think jail is punishment at all though.your fate will be in gods hands and remember god doesnt sleep. and you shouldnt either..

nichole | May 16, 2008 5:14 PM link

About 10/12 years ago a young girl beat her GRANDMOTHER TO DEATH a cask iron skillet and searved less than 10yrs on murder 2, chances are this Katherine girl will also get the same slap on the hand. The system has and will continue to fail us.. THERE SHOULD BE NO SUCH THING AS MANSLAUGHTER,OR MURDER 2.. TAKING ONES LIFE IS TAKING ONES LIFE. I WISH THE SYSTEM WILL STOP BRINGING IT DOWN TO LESSER CHARGES

Missy | May 16, 2008 10:47 PM link

THANK GOD THERE IS SOME JUSTICE IN THIS STATE FOR T.J. How the heck could you look into a little child's face and beat him until he was no longer alive. How can you look yourself in the mirror every single day of your life and know you took the life a 3 year old. A 3 YEAR OLD!!! They cannot defend themselves; they trust that the "adult" in the their life is suppose to protect, nurture, and love them - not beat them to death. Kids make messes - it is part of life. I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I BELIEVE IN THE DEATH PENALTY. I am not sorry to say that especially in cases like this. You deserve nothing less than death when you cause a child to die. A child is INNOCENT and they need protection and love; not beatings and death. May T.J.'s soul rest in peace. RHODE ISLAND: HERE IS A WAKE UP CALL - BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY.

Heather | May 17, 2008 12:21 AM link

The aunt,and her boyfriend are all guilty.And the ones from DCF who were closely involved with the case should also be punished.Who would have put five children in care of a single 21 year old woman,with a boyfriend ? The ones who granted custody in her care, are guilty too.And should be held accountable in court too.Such a sad story.Woonsocket is a sad place.

Erica | May 17, 2008 1:54 AM link

One down - one to go....Delestre's up next.

Lynn | May 17, 2008 2:56 PM link

You may leave comments on TJ'S Myspace Memorial page.
http://home.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user

TJ WRIGHTS MEMORIAL | May 23, 2008 10:59 PM link

May 16, 2008

Bunnell trial: Aunt guilty of 2nd-degree murder / Photos

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