Published: November 04, 2009 11:52 am      

NEW – Lawyers don’t want Indiana County toddler slaying suspect killed

INDIANA — Defense attorneys say a 19-year-old Indiana County man charged with fatally beating his girlfriend’s toddler shouldn’t be executed because tests show the man is mentally disabled.

State police say Joshua Turner, of Black Lick, told them he beat 19-month-old Leonard McIntire after the child bit Turner’s finger and “wanted him to know what pain felt like.”

Indiana County District Attorney Thomas Bianco said the victim’s age is one reason why he’s pursuing the death penalty if Turner is convicted of first-degree murder in the beating last October.

But Turner’s attorneys say a psychologist last year determined Turner has mental disabilities and limitations that would prevent his being executed under a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court decision.

A judge has not scheduled a hearing on the defense motion filed Tuesday.

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Information from: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, http://pghtrib.com