PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A man already serving time in the death of his girlfriend’s toddler son in Philadelphia four years ago has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in the case.
Jurors convicted 31-year-old Joseph Zysk of involuntary manslaughter a year ago but couldn’t reach agreement on the murder count.
The Philadelphia Inquirer (https://bit.ly/1IGkPZi ) reports that prosecutors were preparing for a retrial on that count when Zysk and his attorney announced a decision to plead guilty.
Judge J. Scott O’Keefe said Monday that he will impose sentence Thursday on Zysk, who is serving a five- to 10-year term imposed on the manslaughter count.
Prosecutors alleged that Zysk lost his temper and punched 3-year-old Jason Larkin Jr. repeatedly in January 2011 because the toddler was crying.
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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, https://www.inquirer.com
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