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« Gas goes up a penny in R.I., to another record high | Today | Business Expo 2008 begins tomorrow » May 5, 2008Jury selection begins for aunt accused in toddler's death
Journal file photo Katherine Bunnell of Woonsocket, aunt and legal guardian of 3-year-old T.J. Wright, at her 2005 arraignment in Providence County Superior Court in the beating death of Wright. PROVIDENCE -- Jury selection began in Superior Court today for the trial of Katherine Bunnell who is accused of killing her 3-year-old nephew Thomas J. Wright more than three years ago. Bunnell, who is being represented by Gerard H. Donley, was in court today. She had her hair combed in a bun and wore a black jacket and pants and a white shirt. Judge Gilbert Indeglia told potential jurors not to draw conclusions about guilt or innocence because Bunnell had not been able to raise the funds to post bail. Bunnell and her boyfriend, Gilbert Delestre, face one count of murder and conspiracy to commit murder while serving as guardians for Thomas J. Wright, whose mother was serving time in jail. Prosecutors say that Bunnell and Delestre beat Thomas so viciously in their Woonsocket apartment, they cracked his skull and femur, killing him in the early hours of Halloween day of 2004. The couple was initially charged together but soon split up as lawyers for each of them blamed the other for the attacks on the boy. Delestre is in prison, awaiting his trial. The defense had asked for postponements of Bunnell's trial on several occasions. It's anticipated her trial will take about two weeks. Assistant Attorney General Stacey Veroni and Assistant Attorney General Scott Erickson are prosecuting the case for the state. From its beginning, the high-profile 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. The advocate issued another report in 2006, 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. -- Journal staff writer Tatiana Pina, with reports from Journal archives. Posted by Andrea Panciera Commentswhy | May 5, 2008 2:17 PM link Every time I hear of TJ I get so angry over what happened to that poor little boy. Our state officials really need to focus on protecting the children who can not fight for themselves rather than ensuring that the "rights" of these criminals are protected...Foster parents and legal gaurdians should be people that are safe to these children, yet so often we read about abusive situations, which in this case ended with the death of a beautiful little boy. How sad. TJ, I am sorry that the state of RI let you down. A MOM | May 5, 2008 9:30 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
How did these low lives ever get custody of a child? This state really needs an agency devoted solely to the protection of kids who are alone in this world (in place of the joke that exists now.) These two adults are now 'protected' by our laws (not to mention the bleeding hearts who'll scream loudly if these two get treated the way that poor child was), but Thomas had no one... Great system we have... RIP little one, hopefully you are in a place where you are cared for now.