Pa. man given life sentence for killing toddler

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A western Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a toddler.

Twenty-year-old Joshua Turner had been convicted of first-degree murder last week in the fall 2008 death of 19-month-old Leonard McIntire. Turner had faced the death penalty but the jury today decided instead on a sentence of life in prison.

State police say Turner told them he beat the toddler after the child bit his finger. Turner was dating the boy’s mother at the time.

Defense officials had argued that Turner couldn’t be put to death because he is mentally retarded with an IQ of 71. A prosecution witness had testified that Turner is not retarded but has a “borderline” IQ.

The jury deliberated two hours today before reaching its decision.