Father Charged in Slaying of Toddler Son Goes on Trial

A Virginia man is going on trial for the death of his 1-year-old son, more than four years after the boy's death. 

Prosecutors say Joaquin Rams murdered his son Prince to collect on more than $500,000 in life insurance. Rams has maintained his innocence and says Prince died after suffering a seizure.

Rams was granted visitation with his son despite objections from the boy's mother, who told a judge she feared for Prince's safety.

Prosecutors suspect Rams also killed his ex-girlfriend in 2003 and his own mother in 2008. But a judge barred any evidence from those deaths at Prince's murder trial, which begins Monday. A judge, not a jury, will decide Rams' case. 

Rams is charged with capital murder but prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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