Trial Begins For Man Accused Of Killing Boy Over Messy Room

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PITTSBURGH (AP) - A trial is getting underway in Pittsburgh for a man accused of killing his fiancée's 8-year-old son by slamming the child onto the floor for not cleaning his room.

Thirty-nine-year-old Orlando Williams is charged with homicide and child endangerment counts in the June 2016 death. The trial starts Tuesday.

Authorities allege Williams had been drinking and tripped over a laundry basket in the boy's room. They said he then angrily tried to slam the boy onto the edge of his bed but missed and the boy landed on the floor.

A defense attorney previously argued that the evidence presented wouldn't support a charge more serious than involuntary manslaughter. She has said Williams had acted as a "father figure" to the child for years and was "inconsolable" over his death.

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