Jury Deliberates In Case Of Tulsa Toddler's Death

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A jury is deliberating in the case of a 19-month-old boy's death.

The News On 6 had a crew in the courtroom Monday afternoon for closing arguments and now the jury must decide if what Larry Neeley did is first degree murder or an accident.

12/9/2008  Related Story: Tulsa Man Ordered To Trial In Toddler's Death

JJ Hall was 19-months-old and his mother left him with her boyfriend, Larry Neeley, on August 19th of last year.

Neeley testified that he pulled JJ off a bunk bed and on the way down, the boy's stomach hit the corner of a dresser. JJ's liver was lacerated and he died within minutes.

Neeley's attorney says Neeley never intended to hurt, let alone kill, the child.

However, doctors testified that the amount of force that would cause those injuries were equal to something they'd see in a car crash.

The jury can choose between first degree murder, second degree manslaughter or not guilty.