The trial against accused murderer Torres Boles is set to begin Monday in Liberty County Superior Court.
Boles faces two counts of murder, three counts of cruelty to children and one count of contributing to the deprivation of a child for allegedly causing the death of his then 3-year-old daughter, Andraia Boles, in their Bannon Court home on Feb. 26, 2013.
Boles’ wife and co-defendant, Candice Boles will be tried later. She is accused of one count each of cruelty to children and being a party to murder.
The case focuses on the final days of Andraia Boles’ life. In previous hearings, Hinesville Police Department Det. Doug Snider testified the couple would lock the toddler in a bathroom for hours. This reportedly went on for approximately six months.
On Feb. 26, the girl apparently clogged the toilet, causing flooding. As punishment, Torres Boles allegedly put his daughter in the bathtub, mopped up the floor with a towel and wrung it out in the tub where she stood. According to previous testimony, Boles claimed the girl slipped several times and hit her head on the tub. Boles denied hitting the toddler, but told Snider that when she tried to climb out of the tub, he knocked her hands down, causing her to hit the tub again. Snider said the toddler had extensive bruises on her head and buttocks. Snider said Boles admitted the child was so severely bruised the following morning that she could barely open her eyes. Boles reportedly told Snider he changed her into dry clothes but kept her locked in the bathroom when he left for Army training. He reportedly woke up the child’s mother and said the little girl was in the bathroom and OK.
Candice Boles found the young girl unresponsive later that morning.
Snider also testified the toddler showed signs of previous physical abuse.
Public Defender John Ely pointed out his client, Torres Boles, called 911 even though the child’s mother found her unresponsive.
The couple has another daughter who is living with other relatives. During testimony, Snider said it appears that both children were treated the same way except. The older girl had turned 4 and started attending pre-K. Testimony indicated the couple spent money on two new cars, a 40-inch TV and other household items but not on childcare for when Candice Boles was in school and Torres Boles was at work.
Candice Boles is represented by chief conflict defender with the Georgia Public Defender's office, Stephen Yekel.
Ely filed a motion for separate trials. He also filed a motion for a change of venue saying his client couldn’t be tried fairly in Liberty County because of publicity and community outcry. While his motion for the separate trial was granted, the change of venue was denied.
An April evaluation by the Forensic Services Division of Georgia Regional Hospital found Torres Boles to be mentally competent to stand trial.
Jury selection starts at 9 a.m. and the trial will begin once the jury is seated. The case will be tried before Superior Court Judge Charles P. Rose.