A central Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to die for the beating death of a toddler he was baby-sitting two years ago.
A jury in York County convicted 40-year-old Aric Shayne Woodard in October of first-degree murder in the death of 2-year-old Jaques Twinn. The jury also recommended the death penalty instead of a sentence of life in prison.
Prosecutors said Woodard beat the boy to death in November 2011 while looking after him at a York home.
The York Dispatch said Woodard slumped in his chair and smiled in apparent amusement during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday. Woodard claimed he is innocent and said he was ``set up'' but didn't offer any details.
Pennsylvania's last execution was in 1999.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
