Trial underway for Tulsan accused of pouring boiling water on his son

Tuesday, February 14th 2006, 12:10 pm

By: News On 6

The trial of a Tulsa man accused of murdering his son is underway. Carlis Ball is accused of killing his 2 year old son by pouring boiling water onto him, then waiting until the next day to call an ambulance.

If found guilty, Carlis Ball could face life in prison. News on 6 reporter Heather Lewin says the day his son died, Carlis Ball was led away in tears. Now, nearly a year later he's led out of a Tulsa courtroom, where prosectuors plan to present gruesome details of what they say is the abuse and neglect that cost 2-year-old Keenan Taylor his life.

Ball is on trial for the murder of his son. Investigators say last June, Keenan was found on the floor of Ball's apartment, convulsing and vomiting with burns over 75-percent of his body.He died on the way to the hospital.

Doctors say the burns on the boy's face, head and chest showed he was intentionally scalded with boiling water. Paramedics who tried to save Keenan's life said it was the worst scene they've ever encountered.

Both sides of the family joined together months ago at Keenan's funeral to say good-bye. The boy's mother, now a prosecution witness, couldn't comment for our story, except to say she was happy the trial was starting.

Ball's mother says she's trying to stay strong. Ball maintains his son's death was an accident.

Jury selection continues. Tuesday, the judge ruled prosecutors could bring up evidence found in the search of a closet where they say Ball put his son after the child was burned.