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May 22, 2008

Convicted child murderer Bunnell denied new trial

PROVIDENCE -- Convicted child murderer Katherine Bunnell was denied a new trial today by a judge who said it was Bunnell, not her co-defendant, Gilbert Delestre, who set off the spiral of violence that killed 3-year-old Thomas “T.J.” Wright.

“She went ballistic. She started the whole engine rolling that night,” Judge Gilbert V. Indeglia said, referring to the night 3 1/2 years ago that T.J. was beaten to death.

“Delestre didn’t need much encouragement. And he followed along,” acting in concert with Bunnell to kill the toddler, Indeglia said.

Bunnell and Delestre, who is to be tried separately, now blame each other for the murder. Witness said Bunnell flew into a rage and she and Delestre took turns beating T.J. when they returned to their Woonsocket apartment from a night out on Oct. 30, 2004 and found a mess --some spilled milk and yogurt -- that the toddler had made on their living-room floor.

Bunnell, 24, was found guilty of second-degree murder and murder conspiracy Friday following a two-week trial before Indeglia in Superior Court. T.J., described as an energetic little boy with a sweet disposition, was one of three young nephews that Bunnell took in when her sister, Karen Wright, went to prison in 2004 in Illinois.

Ruling on a defense motion for a new trial, Indeglia said he agreed with the jury’s verdict, which put credence in the testimony of Bunnell’s babysitter, Kayla Roderick, who said she saw Bunnell drop T.J., knock him down repeatedly, punch him on the back and chest, and slap him hard across the face.

Indeglia dismissed Bunnell’s claim that she only slapped T.J. lightly and never saw Delestre hurl the 32-pound toddler across the room.

-- Journal staff writer John Castellucci

Bunnell was stopped twice for speeding the night of the murder –– the first time when she drove the babysitter home, the second time on her way back to the apartment.

Both times, Bunnell “batted her eyelashes” and talked the police officers who stopped her out of giving her speeding tickets, Indeglia said.

“She has the ability to charm,” the judge said, and has probably charmed herself into believing that she wasn’t responsible for the multiple blunt force trauma injuries that medical witnesses said caused T.J.’s death.

Posted by Mike McKinney at 5:47 PM | Permalink

Comments

MY FAITH IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN RENEWED!!!

rosetta deluca | May 22, 2008 6:55 PM link

SHE GOT A LOT LESS THAN SHE DESERVED;
That little boy is gone forever.
How can she live with herself and look herself in a mirror everyday.She needs to commit suicide and do everybody a big favor.

Mary | May 22, 2008 11:58 PM link

I personally believe that the babysitter should be held accountable as well. A person of 16 should know better from what is right and what is wrong. She should have called 911 if not from the home then as soon as she got home. Even a child of 13 babysitting probably would have called. I don't believe for one minute that she was scared. She just looked the other way, as most people do because they don't want to get involved. If that house was engulfed in flames , would she have called 911 you can bet yes, so what is the difference, either way the children were at risk. Shame on all involved. Rest in peace little one. You certainly have earned your wings. That is my opinion and I am entitled to it , it is called freedom of speech.

jeanne | May 23, 2008 6:22 AM link

May 22, 2008

Convicted child murderer Bunnell denied new trial

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