Opening statements are expected to begin today for an Aiken man charged in the 2013 death of a 2-year-old boy.
Ivory James Blackshire, 29, is charged with homicide by child abuse and inflicting great bodily injury on a child.
Circuit Court Judge Doyet "Jack" Early on Monday heard pre-trial motions from the state and the defense, and the jury was seated Monday afternoon. Early told jurors he doesn't expect the trial to last beyond Thursday afternoon.
Opening statements are expected to begin about 9:30 a.m. in the main courtroom on the second floor of the Aiken County Judicial Center, followed by testimony.
Blackshire is accused in the death of 2-year-old Caleb Walker, who was found unresponsive on the couch of a Dallas Circle home on Aug. 29, 2013, after Blackshire called 911.
Walker was transported to Aiken Regional Medical Centers, then to Georgia Regents Medical Center.
An autopsy revealed Walker died from a brain injury caused by blunt force trauma.
Assistant Solicitor Ashley Hammack and Assistant Solicitor Sam Grimes are prosecuting the case. Blackshire is defended by Aiken attorney Michael Chesser.
Teddy Kulmala covers the crime and courts beat for the Aiken Standard and has been with the newspaper since August 2012. He is a native of Williston and majored in communication studies at Clemson University.