Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By Tatiana Pina
Journal staff writer

PROVIDENCE -- Gilbert Delestre, who is on trial for the beating death of his girlfriend's nephew, took the stand today in his own defense.

Delestre, 27, said that the only time he hit 3-year-old Thomas "T.J." Wright was when he hit him in the head as they were heading up the stairs and the boy fell backwards.

Prosecutors say Delestre and Katherine Bunnell beat T.J. severely after they returned to their Woonsocket apartment from a night out four years ago and became enraged when they found milk and yogurt spilled on the living room rug. T.J. was declared brain dead and died the following day.

Delestre said that after Bunnell took babysitter Kayla Roderick home he went upstairs with T.J. On the stairs, he described the boy as being by his side holding a piece of his pants and the railing.

"I told him he was a bad boy. I hit him with the back of my hand on the forehead. He fell back," Delestre said.

T.J. fell back 8 or 10 steps, he said. "I tried to catch him," he said. "I tried to reach for his arm before he went down the stairs."

Delestre said he went to pick him up. "I think he was unconscious. He can't really speak that well. I tried to speak to him. I think I heard him say yes. I ended up putting him to bed," Delestre said.

Dr. Deena Isaac, who was consulting pediatrician at Hasbro's Children's Hospital at the time and attended T.J. at the hospital, testified last week that T.J.'s injuries were not consistent with a fall down the stairs.

When Bunnell returned from dropping off the babysitter, Delestre said he told her to check T.J. because he didn't look right. He said he did not tell her what he did because he was afraid.

Delestre denied throwing T.J. across the room as Roderick has testified he did when they were downstairs. He also denied slapping T.J.

Roderick has testified that she was downstairs and saw Delestre go up the stairs she heard two or three loud slaps and T.J. crying.

Read about last week's trial developments.

 Tags  Gilbert Delestre Providence T.J. Wright

Comments

Disgusted said:

They are ALL GUILTY! Bunnell and Delestre for killing the child with abuse AND Roderick for not DOING ANYTHING when she witnessed the abuse! Please don't say Roderick was scared. When one babysits, one should be CARING for the kids. Why didn't Roderick stand up and say something. I don't think she would of been "beaten" as badly as a three year old! If Bunnell or Delestre would of hit Roderick, she probably would hit them back and then call 911 if it was HER BEING HIT. Put them all away for their WICKED DEEDS! Anyone who witnesses child abuse should take IMMEDIATE ACTION! Children are innocent and shouldn't be "beating boards" for the disfunctional wierdos out there! I know if I would of been in Roderick's place at the time, I would of immediately stepped up and protected the child and called 911 in that abusive situation. Now, everyone involved just has to live with it for the rest of their lives. So, it's a bad thing all around for everyone because nobody took immediate action. These people wouldn't be up for murder, the child would still be alive and taken to a safe environment, etc. I only wish I could of been there! That poor little boy...it's DISGUSTING what happened to that child!

Link | December 2, 2008 2:25 AM
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