December 1, 2008 Man charged with murder admits striking child

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A man charged with killing his girlfriend's 3-year-old nephew has admitted knocking the child down the stairs because he was mad the boy made a mess in his apartment.

Gilbert Delestre began to testify Monday at his murder trial in Providence Superior Court.

His lawyer has asked jurors to convict Delestre of manslaughter but acquit him of murder because he says he did not intend to kill the child in October 2004.

Delestre said he struck Thomas "T.J" Wright on the head, causing him to fall down 8 to 10 steps, after returning to his Woonsocket apartment and finding a mess of eggs, yogurt, milk and a bowl containing feces.

He said he tried to catch the child but was unable to. Delestre then carried him upstairs to bed.

Wright was later taken to the hospital and was pulled off life support the following day.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)